Messy Ink (Get Ink'd Book 2) -Ali Lyda

Dane

Those of us who'd remained after lunch sat around my aunt's living room with pie we shouldn't be eating more of and pants that were far too tight. I felt content in the way that only overindulging with family can bring. It helped, too, that my two handsome guests had been a hit. I couldn't help the glow of pride I had in Chris, especially. He'd knocked it out of the park.

After a few more minutes of conversation, there was a honk outside. Channing stood up, pink and looking sheepish.

"My friends from school are having 'Friendsgiving' and came to pick me up." He went over to my aunt and hugged her, all awkward long, lanky arms and enough space to fit a basketball between bodies. "Thank you, Ms. Marty, for letting us come."

She beamed and pinched his cheek, a sure tell that she adored the younger Lowe. "Anytime, sweet cheeks! Come visit again soon."

He bobbed his head and waved goodbye. Chris sighed next to me. "You have no idea how hard it was to let him go," he said in a low voice.

I set my pie aside and put an arm over his shoulder, drawing him close. "Why's that?"

"He asked to spend the night out at his friend's place. He's eighteen, so it isn't like I can even say no, but still..."

"Sure," I add softly, running fingers through his hair. "It's tough when you have to trust after being burned."

He gave a snort and raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, yeah," I said with a smirk, "I get it. But if he's not going to be home...what are your plans for the evening? Because I kind of love the idea of having you all to myself."

Blue eyes danced with hunger that clearly didn't come from a lack of food. "I'm free. And very interested in what you'll do once you have me all to yourself."

Blood rushed from my head to below my belt. "Then let's get out of here before I pitch a tent that would be very hard to explain to family," I whispered in his ear.

We stood and took our dishes to the sink. The rounds of goodbyes began and I couldn't help but notice the excitement in my family's eyes as they said goodbye to Chris. They essentially mobbed him, kids clinging to his legs, firm handshake after firm handshake, and more kisses to his cheek than he ever could have anticipated. They hugged him tighter than they hugged me, and I'd be offended if I wasn't so damned happy at how well he fit in.

I loved my family, and the fact that I was even still welcome at holidays after my horrible teen years was a testament to how generous they were. Chris, though, was clearly a star in their eyes. He'd dazzled them all, and it gave me goosebumps to think not only about how perfect the holiday had been, but how much I'd love to do it again the next year.

The next year. Holy fuck, that was the kind of commitment I'd never contemplated before, not once, in my adult life. The kind of long-lasting relationships that were in fairy tales. I wasn't supposed to be a character in a story with happy endings—yet here I was, standing next to a man who constantly made me feel such deep-seated feelings of yearning and warmth that it had to be...

Love.

A lump formed in my throat when my mom pulled Chris into another embrace, holding on with her left arm. I could tell she was frustrated by the lack of strength on her right side, but Chris leaned into her left, letting her squeeze him hard. When he had his back turned to her, she mouthed "I love him" to me.

In my truck, we started headed back into town, but when I took a turn, Chris startled next to me. "Where are we going?"

A sly smile crept onto my face. "My apartment. Mateo's out for the night."