Page 123 of Between the Lines

She leads me graciously down the hall to the kitchen, the sound of voices growing louder. My heart picks up speed, but I don’t slow down. Fia glances over her shoulder, giving me a small encouraging smile that fills me to the brim.

“Okay,” she says, cheeks flushed, gesturing around. “Everyone, this is Caden.”

Three sets of eyes turn my way. A small blonde with Fia’s nose, a tall tattooed guy I’ve seen twice now, and another guy who looks identical to the blonde. Fia takes the whiskey and bread from my arms and nods to the guy next to me.

“This is my brother, Danny.”

I shake his hand. He smiles, but subtly sizes me up. As an older brother should.

“And you and Jesse have met before, but let’s just pretend that this is the first time,” Fia says as Jesse reaches for my hand. Another solid, assessing handshake.

“And my sister, Penny.”

The small blonde takes my hand, amber eyes sharp and glossy mouth in a hard line. Then her gaze flicks to the bottle of whiskey Fia set on the counter.

“So,” she says slowly, “you came to a family dinner and brought . . . liquor.” I nod and she releases my hand. She taps on the glass container next to the bottle. “And is that focaccia bread?” Penny narrows her eyes, and behind her Fia tilts her head to the side.

“Yes, it is,” I reply, matter-of-fact.

Penny purses her lips, and it’s quiet enough that you could hear a pin drop.

“Did you buy it or make it?”

I don’t hesitate. “Made it this morning. It’s a new recipe I’m trying out so don’t hold it against me if it’s bad.”

For a second, she studies me. Then she turns to Fia and cracks a tiny grin. “I like him.”

Everyone laughs, and Fia rolls her eyes.

“Well, I’m glad I got the queen’s approval,” Fia spats, but the sisters smile at each other, and an ease falls around the kitchen.

“Ank!” Daisy screeches from the living room, high and delighted. I turn instinctively, already smiling.

“They exiled you over there all by yourself?” I ask, then see the massive gray-and-white dog stretched out beside the playpen.

“That’s Tank, or as Daisy says, Ank.” Fia chuckles, sliding into my side. I wrap my arm around her. “He’s her best friend. I’m sorry—if he’s here, you’re chopped liver.”

She’s right. After offering me a toothy grin, Daisy is back to fixating on Tank.

Penny rounds the kitchen island, handing me a mixed drink in a glass tumbler.

“You strike me as a guy who would like an old-fashioned,” she says, and I take the drink.

“I’m warning you now, man, that will knock you on your ass.” Jesse eyes the glass as Penny grins mischievously.

“Hey, let the man decide what he can handle. I mean if he can handle Fia, he can handle one of my cocktails.”

“What do you mean?” Fia scoffs. “I’m a freaking delight.”

I take a sip, and they aren’t wrong, it’s strong. But I take it as a peace offering.

As we settle in, the questions start rolling in—about where I’m from, the business, surfing . . .

But the familiar tightening in my chest when I’m in the spotlight doesn’t creep up. In fact, I smile, my body at ease with my arm around Fia, happy to answer questions.

Happy to be here.

“Fia said you have a beautiful property,” Penny says, gazing at me as she sips her cocktail.