“She’s little, but she’s mighty,” Hank warned, wrapping an arm around the back of Sarah’s waist.

“You’re the youngest, right?” Sarah asked Ace, ignoring Hank.

“Yeah.”

“Gosh, I think the last time I saw you, you were like twelve or something! You look so much like Jenny.” Hank remarked.

You smiled, but your head shook. “It’s the hair.”

Jenny did used to have long hair like you wore yours, but I knew that wasn’t what Hank was referring to. All of you Bosse girls are beautiful, but Jenny had always been gorgeous. You even more so.

“Are you ready for tonight?” Hank asked, placing one of his large hands on my bicep and squeezing, trying to get me to flex.

I shook him off with a laugh. “Tonight? What’s going on tonight?”

“Dual bachelor and bachelorette party!”

“The night before?” I asked, shocked since I knew how Billy partied.

“Half of the group didn’t arrive until today, including you, little brother! It’s going to be epic. Wait until you meet Molly and some of her friends. She’s hell on wheels. Tonight’s going to be a disaster.” He laughed, shaking his head, and I saw Sarah gave a tight-lipped smile.

“Is she that bad?”

Sarah nodded, her eyes growing as she gave the answer I already expected. “She has an aversion to wearing clothes that cover her. You should have seen Grandma Miller when the two first met.”

Hank buckled as he started quietly laughing and nodding his head. “It was priceless.”

I took a fleeting look around to ensure no one could hear our conversation and gripped your waist a little tighter to stop my hand from running over my hair that was gunked up that night. “Where are we going?”

“Some honky-tonk cowboy bar she likes. She’s from Alabama, so she talks like this y’all,” Hank said with a deep Southern twang that sent a vibration of your laughter through my hand.

“Max.”

My breath caught in my chest as I turned to see Grandma Miller standing behind me. Although I’m a foot taller than her, it felt like I was cowering and looking up to her, rather than so far down.

“Hey, Grandma.” My hand slowly fell from your waist so I could wrap my arms around my grandma as her small, bony hands cinched around my waist.

When she released me I straightened, reaching for the words that I’d been rehearsing in my head to introduce you both, and saw Grandma Miller’s face break out into a genuine smile.

“Well, dear, it took a little longer than I was hoping for, but I’m glad to finally see you.”

I noticed Hank’s head pull back in shock as he stared at Grandma Miller. I stared at her too, confused as all hell.

My grandma took a step closer, and I watched as she embraced you as though she’d known you for years, rather than just meeting.

“You’re my ticket to finally getting a granddaughter. If he gives you any trouble, you just let me know.” She released her hold on you and patted my forearm a couple of times. “He was raised to know how to treat a woman. His mom made sure of that.”

Your smile was shy. I noted how quickly it grew, making it sincere and fuller. “He’s great.”

“Yes, but you, my dear, deserve spectacular.” She looked at me as she said the words, as if scolding me.

“He’s pretty spectacular. To an astonishing level in fact.”

My grandma nodded a couple of times, and then her hand patted my arm again, this time with more affection. “I’m glad to hear that. How are you doing dear? How’s Zeus?”

I was still trying to catch up to the fact that my grandma wasn’t berating you like I’d been dreading, and hearing her say Zeus made my head spin even faster. I started wondering how in the hell she knew about Zeus, and what all my mother had been telling her, barely catching your response.

“He’s doing really good. He likes the cooler weather.”

“I’m sure he does,” my grandma replied with a nod.

“I won’t make it for Thanksgiving this year, but I’ll see you both for Christmas.” Both, as in you and me. I don’t know why I ever doubted for a second that she wouldn’t love you, but I was still confused as all hell. “I’m so glad that you came, dear. This means so much to all of us.”

“Oh, I’m really flattered to be able to share this with you all.”

“I have to go. Edna will be looking for me, but I’ll see you kids tomorrow. Sarah,” she said with a nod, finally acknowledging her.

As she backed away, our necks snapped to you. Your eyebrows rose and your fingers trailed the sides of your dress, momentarily distracting me as the desire to run my hands over the same planes consumed me.

“How in the hell did you do that?” Sarah shrieked in a whisper.

“Do what?”

“She loves you!” she said accusingly.

You shrugged nonchalantly. “I’ve known her for years.”

My attention snapped from your hips. “Years?”

I was dumbfounded when you nodded. “The summer you guys moved in, Mr. Janes had broken his ankle and they had that spaniel, Sandy. I would go over and walk her, or go with Mrs. Janes to walk her, and your grandma started joining us.” You shrugged again. “She usually comes over and walks Zeus with me now when she visits.”

“You walk with my grandma?” I asked incredulously.

“Oh my God, you’re like Mother Theresa,” Sarah said, dropping her head back. “Please tell me that she has at least one fault.”

Your smile was in place, but I could tell you were uncomfortable because you were biting the inside of your cheek. “I have plenty. Really, it’s not a big deal,” you insisted, moving your hands over your waist again. “In fact, if you’d like to know how saintly I am, I was walking Sandy as a punishment because I had adopted the f-word that summer.”

Hank released a howl of laughter and reached forward to wrap you in an aggressive hug. “I like you.”

Your hands dropped to your sides, and your eyes warmed, but your head shook as you laughed. You were getting ready to reply but Sarah started waving and elbowed me in the side. “Kiefer’s coming. You guys should run while you can.”

I pressed a swift kiss to Sarah’s cheek in thanks, and whisked you away before you had the chance to object.

We joined my mom, taking a seat beside Uncle Lenny. I introduced you two, and my uncle didn’t hesitate before he began asking you questions about school and your interests as my mom stood up and was replaced by a couple of people that I felt like I should know, but couldn’t place.

You were rubbing the white tablecloth between your thumb and forefinger that were painted a pale pink. My eyes watched for several seconds before taking into account that the fabric nearly covered your entire lap with how you were seated so close to the edge of your seat. My first thoughts of seeking retribution grew. You’d probably knee me in the balls to know I was initially considering your reaction to me reaching up your dress and watching you try to fight the pleasure I knew how to find so easily, because I’d become so attuned to your body. Obviously, I didn’t. It would have been hot, I’m sure of that, even now, but I could see you being completely mortified and pissed off. That put a stop to that daydream, but not to my excitement.

Instead, I scooted my own chair closer to the table, ensuring that the long tablecloth was draped over my lap as well. You were oblivious to my movements, discussing your dad’s medical profession with my uncle, something you did with pride. I reached over and grasped your hand in mine, and you released the tablecloth, allowing me to move your hand without the slightest hint of objection.

I held the back of your fingers within mine, bringing your hand under the tablecloth and against my erection.

“Ye-yeah, ye-yes.” I had to fight my grin as you stumbled over the simple reply to a question I wasn’t even aware of. Your cheeks were tinged red with a hint of embarrassment.

I was sort of being a dick, I wasn’t trying to embarrass you, but your words continued to be rushed as you tried to pull away without making it too apparent. You couldn’t though. I had my hand on the back of yours, keeping it firmly mounted in place. Eventually, I felt your arm muscles slowly relax in defeat as you started discussing how long you’ve known my family. This is where I screwed myself, I laughed. You glanced at me from the corner of your eye and I lifted an eyebrow to see if you were ready to give up.