Page 50 of Burning Embers
OLLY
I don't know why I'm nervous about Rachel coming to my parents today; she's been here before. Maybe it’s because we are together now, and this is all very real.
"Okay, let's go eat," I say as I park in front of the drive. I meet Rachel on the passenger side as she unclips Molly from her booster seat. Maybe I should get one as a spare for my car?
"You okay?" Rachel asks with a frown.
"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"
She laughs and shakes her head. "Because I just asked you a question and you zoned out."
"Sorry," I reply, reaching for Molly's hand. "What did you say?"
She closes the car door and grabs Molly's rucksack. "Are you sure you don't mind us coming?"
I wrap my arm around her waist and pull her into my side where I place a soft kiss on her temple. "Of course, it’s just…I've never brought a girlfriend home before."
Turning into me, she goes up on tiptoes and gives me a chaste kiss. "Am I your girlfriend, then?" she asks, biting her lip. "I don't recall you asking me out."
I tickle her, and she lets out a squeal. "Well, I'm asking now."
She blushes, her eyes sparkle. "In that case, I'd love to be your girlfriend." Her lips meet mine, and everything else evaporates.
"Does that mean you're getting married?" Molly asks, pulling on my hand.
I pull back from Rachel and cough. "Pardon?"
"You kissed Mummy," she says.
Shit.
"Molly, do you want to come and meet Olly's parent's dog, Max?"
Molly pulls on my hand and darts up the path. "I'll take that as a yes."
"That was close," Rachel says, her cheeks scarlet. I look over my shoulder and wink.
The back garden is swarming with family where I’ve spent most of the day being interrogated over Rachel.
"I swear to God, Martin, if you hit on my girl once more," I say under my breath.
"Awe, is Olly getting worried?" he asks in a sing-song voice, bouncing on the spot, fake punching me.
Rachel wraps her arm around my waist. "Ignore him, he's winding you up," she says.
I roll my eyes. I know—but it’s annoying.Martin leans in and kisses Rachel on the cheek before sprinting off. "That's it!" I launch after him.
The whole time he's running, his cocky laugh echoes around the garden.When I finally catch him, I grab him in a headlock and scruff up his hair before letting go.
"You like her then?" he asks, nodding his head at Rachel, who I'm grateful is occupied by my mum.
"I do. She's special," I admit.
"It's about time you settled down, brother," he says, slapping me on the back.
"Easy tiger, no one is settling anywhere," I reply.
"You keep telling yourself that. Want another beer?"
