Indy playfully smacks him in the chest and while more laughter and conversation flows around us, Kai reaches between us and pulls my already close chair even closer to his.
“Having fun?” he asks in a hushed tone.
We lean into each other, each of us resting our cheeks on our palms and looking at one another.
I nod with a smile. “I am. Thank you for bringing me.”
He watches my lips as I speak, tucking his lower one between his teeth.
“Thank you for coming. I think this is my favorite family dinner yet.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah. Mostly because of the pie.”
I give him a gentle swat on the upper arm.
“And because of the girl who made it.”
He looks at my lips and I look at his before the front door opens, breaking our moment.
“Isaiah?” Kai asks, when his brother comes waltzing in.
“Sorry I’m late!”
Indy stands from her chair. “I’m so glad you made it! Let me get you a plate. We had tacos. You good with everything?”
“You’re an angel, Ind. Thank you.”
Isaiah goes around the table, swinging his arm around Ryan, Zanders, and Rio as he greets them all, then pops a kiss on Stevie’s cheek as he walks by.
“Stevie, you’re looking beautiful.”
“Get your own girl, Rhodes,” Zanders reminds him.
Isaiah takes a seat on the other side of Kai. “Working on it.”
“What are you doing here?” Kai asks.
“It’s family dinner.”
“You haven’t been to one in weeks. And why are you so late?”
Isaiah leans in closer, for only me and his brother to hear.
“Did you know that Kennedy isn’t wearing her ring anymore?”
“What ring?” I ask.
“Ken used to have a giant diamond on her ring finger,” Kai explains. “It hasn’t been there all season.”
“You knew? Why didn’t you tell me? And how the hell did I not notice until today? I stare at that girl all the time.”
“I figured you saw.”
“Well, I did today, and now you’re looking at a changed man.”
Kai and I both burst out laughing.
“Excuse me, I’m serious about this.”
“That’s why you’re here,” Kai realizes.
“I’m a family man now. All these years, I didn’t really have a chance in hell because she was engaged, but now, I have a shot.”
“You technically have a shot.”
“This is happening. As of today, you’re looking at a one-woman man. I was just filling my time all these years, waiting for her to be single.”
“And by ‘filling your time’， you’re referring to filling your bed?” I ask.
He gives a quick nod of his head. “Yes, exactly.”
Kai and I are wearing fully amused grins, watching his playboy brother turn into a love-struck yet hopeful idiot.
“You can’t blame me for doing my thing when she wasn’t available, but now that she’s single . . .” Isaiah shakes his head, pointing at himself. “Changed man.”
Indy puts a plate of tacos down in front of Isaiah before giving his shoulders a squeeze. “Happy you’re here, Isaiah.”
“I’ll be here every week!”
I lean into Kai. “Where’s the restroom?”
He points behind us. “Down that hall. Second door on your right.”
“I’ll be right back.”
Ryan and Indy’s home is stunning, modern, and clean, but with plenty of bright pops as well. I take my time looking at the artwork on the walls as I walk down the hall. I use the restroom, and as I’m washing my hands at the sink, I can’t help but stare at my child-like grin in the mirror because tonight was fun. These people are fun. I couldn’t tell you the last time I had dinner around a table where the conversation was about something other than menu changes, seasonal fruit, or current food trends.
It was nice to have a meal where I was simply Miller instead of Chef.
Turning, I dry my hands on the small towel when my attention drifts to the framed piece of cross-stitch hung on the wall. The embroidery on the crisp piece of linen is bright and feminine. The lettering is done in cursive, using a dark pink thread and surrounded by tiny flowers and hearts.
Please don’t do drugs in our bathroom, is hung proudly on display.
It’s so out of place in this dark and moody restroom.
I love it.
On my way back, the conversation continues in the dining room so I slip into the kitchen to grab another margarita. For being in a stranger’s home, I feel oddly comfortable enough to help myself. Kai’s friends are laid-back and easy to be around, and it’s comforting to see how much they’ve welcomed both him and Max into the fold.