“I have all the time in the world for that, and based on what you told me about her, I thought of Owen. He’s just as much of a workaholic as she is. He’s been divorced for years and I knew it couldn’t hurt to at least introduce them...and take the pressure off of me.”

I squeezed his waist tighter, placing my cheek on his back. “I’m sorry you felt that way.”

“I wanted to meet your family,” he promised.

“How do you know Owen? He’s older than you.”

He hesitated slightly before answering. “He helped me out once in a big way and we’ve been friends ever since.”

“Oh, how?” I asked as I put my back to the counter, leaning back to gaze at my beautiful man. He had on a collared, light green shirt and khakis. His typically messy brown hair was combed back neatly. Leaning in, I kissed the divot in his chin and he grunted mildly, sounding irritated because I was keeping him from his task. When I reached out to put my hands in his hair, he gave me the stink eye.

“Out.” I chuckled and rewrapped my hands around him only to hear his exasperated sigh. I was purposefully distracting him and chuckled as he scrambled to complete his chore. It was cute watching him get bent out of shape. I knew multitasking was difficult for him, especially when I was attempting to turn him on. I was put off by it the first time I straddled him while he was playing his Xbox only to be quickly discarded off of his lap and scorned. I’d been temporarily hurt by it, but understood it was just one of his quirks. And so I decided I liked it much better when his focus was solely on me. I would bide my time until that was the case, because the payoff was fucking phenomenal.

“I’m leaving, babe,” I said lightly as I took one last look at him before rounding the corner to join my sister and Owen in the living room. Jayden refused to let me help him with any household chore— another one of his quirks. I had folded a load of towels for him one day and watched him at the same time thank me while completely refolding them. It was pointless to try.

Rejoining my sister and Owen in the living room, I noticed my sister’s attentiveness towards Owen and felt slightly intrusive in my interruption. They seemed rapt in conversation as I took a seat next to my sister on the couch.

“So you are in Columbia?” Owen asked. “I designed the Timber building.”

“Really? That was you?! It’s beautiful. It absolutely changed the skyline for the better.”

“You think so? Thanks,” he added proudly.

“Absolutely. I’m looking to purchase a bigger space soon, or renovate. Maybe you could give me some pointers on expanding where I’m at?”

Owen didn’t hesitate before pulling out his card and handing it to her. “I’d love to help.” His words were suggestive in a way that made my sister’s lips turn up in a small smile.

“Well, I should go. I’ve interrupted your time with your sister long enough.” He turned to me and addressed me. “If things don’t work out at the agency, give me a call. I’ll make room for you.”

“Thank you, that’s so kind. And really, you aren’t interrupting anything by staying for one more beer,” I offered. He looked from me to my sister and nodded with a ‘sure.’ I stood up to get his beer and he looked back at me. “I’ve known Jayden a long time and I have to tell you I’ve never seen him so happy. Whatever you are doing, it’s working.”

My chest expanded with his words as I replied, “I’m loving him.”

“Well...keep it up,” he said with a wink.

“Not even a question,” I said, making my way to the kitchen to grab a beer. I twisted off the top and turned to Jayden who was still elbows deep in dishes, humming along to his playlist, completely oblivious to the world. I left him to it as I rejoined our guests. Owen thanked me as their topic transitioned from architecture to family. Owen mentioned he had a three-year-old daughter, and Alexis who was completely anti-little-people actually asked to see a picture. Owen proudly produced a thousand on his iPhone, and I noticed my sister’s eyes light up as she commented on the photo.

“She looks just like you,” she said, studying the picture with interest.

I took a seat as Owen gushed about his daughter and Jayden joined me on the couch, hot coffee in hand. I looked over to him and smiled as he took my hand. So this was domestication. I could totally get used to this.

“She’s so big,” Jayden said, grabbing Owen’s phone. “It’s been way too long since I’ve seen her. We need to set that up.”

“What’s her name?” I asked, noting she did look a lot like Owen.

“Olivia.”

I felt a tug as I stared at the blonde haired, little girl with chubby cheeks holding up the Frozen DVD. It looked like she was at her birthday party surrounded by her friends. Her eyes were lit up as she proudly held her movie.

“Do you want kids?” Jayden asked in a low voice meant only for me after I’d handed Owen back his phone and he and Alexis resumed their chatter. I took a long look at Jayden as he studied me before giving him an honest answer. “Sure, if it’s in the cards.”

Alexis interrupted our private conversation before I had the chance to decipher his expression. “My mother wanted to extend the invitation for Sunday brunch, Jayden.” I glared at Alexis, knowing this was her plan all along. She had obviously plotted with my mother to bring it to fruition. I looked quickly to Jayden who hesitated briefly, sipping his coffee before answering, “Sure, I’ll be there.”

“Really?” I asked in a whisper.

“Yeah, baby, I’d love to come.” He squeezed my knee before making an excuse of needing more coffee to leave the room, offering everyone else a cup. We all declined as he made his way back to the kitchen. I contained my venom as Owen looked between my sister and me, clearly reading the situation.

“Well, I’m going to get going,” Alexis said, taking her leave before I could get her alone. Jayden came back out holding a fresh cup and said his goodbyes.

“I’ll see you both Sunday,” she mused at my pissed expression as she turned to Owen who said, “I’ll walk you out.” We all said our goodbyes as they made their way out and I resisted the urge to kick my sister in the ass as she crossed the threshold.

When the door was shut, my eyes met Jayden’s.

“I won’t subject you to them until you are completely ready. Seriously, babe, I’ll make an excuse for you.”

“It’s fine. Don’t worry.” Even as he said the words, I sensed his hesitation.

“Meeting the parents, it’s getting serious,” I said playfully, passing him on the way to rid myself of my outfit. “But I’d like to meet your Mom,” I added before entering his bedroom. He was at his door watching me change into my new, sexy, red slip negligee. I made a show of it, slowly unhooking my bra and letting it fall to the floor and then pulling my hair out of the ponytail I’d been wearing. I stood my back to him in the matching lace, barely there panties as the silky material caressed my skin. When I turned around, I saw his eyes were heated.

“I’m going to walk Trip,” he said, staring at me as my expectant smile disintegrated. I’d hoped for several reactions from my show, but the one I got was far from the one I desired.

An hour later, I was in his bed cruising around on my laptop searching for my career destiny. Jayden had been a welcomed distraction from the fact that I still hadn’t reached a decision, but I still hadn’t lost sight of my goal.

“Did you ever think that your career decision shouldn’t be something you had to research, babe?” he asked as he made his way into the bathroom and began washing up. “You know that it should just come to you naturally.” I stopped my reading to look up as he pasted his toothbrush, looking at me through the reflection in the mirror. He made a smartass display of capping the toothpaste, holding the pieces in each hand before screwing them together and putting it back in the cabinet.