Page 52 of Strawberry Cake
“I’m sure you were. Being introduced to the family is a big step for anyone and from what Decan said you two haven’t been dating that long.”
“A little over a month,” Hope confirmed.
They swam alongside each other until they found some chairs in the water. “He’s been so hard on himself since the accident,” Lilly continued. “It’s nice to see him… happy again. This is going to sound mean but I have to know. Youarewith him for the long game, right? You’re not just going to bolt when things get hard?”
“I am. I don’t like making promises, but my intention is to get to know him for a long-term relationship.”
“I know and I’m sorry for being so intrusive. I just don’t want him to be hurt.”
“I understand. He is your little brother after all.”
“I love him, even if he can be a pain in the ass.”
“Are they this protective of you too?”
“Oh, you should have seen Aron’s interrogation. They watched him like a hawk. I’m sure there were threats involved too, but Aron refuses to tell me.”
“I think Decan is onto you too. He’s giving us a look.”
“Just know we’re happy for the both of you and hope it all works out. You two are super cute together.”
“Don’t tell him that. He takes his bad boy image very seriously.” They both laughed, and Hope was relieved. Getting along with Decan’s siblings was a huge milestone. After all, Lilly might as well be her new sister-in-law. “Can I ask you a favour?”
“Of course.”
“Decan gifted me the book you rebound for him, but he said you never bound the rest of the series because you hated the cover.”
“Let me guess: you want a complete set?”
Hope shrugged. “It would be nice to have them all match.”
“Show me a picture, and I’ll try my best to make them.”
The conversation went to their love of books, and Lilly confessed how she and Decan had gotten their obsession from their mother. After a while, Aron approached with a fancy-looking cocktail in each hand. “I thought you two might want a drink. All the gossip must have made you thirsty.”
“Well, aren’t you a wonderful husband.”
“The best actually,” Aron said with pride.
Hope took the drink and let her eyes travel back to Decan, who was smiling at her. She felt a little bad for leaving him behind, but as if Aron was guessing her thoughts he grinned down at her.
“He’s thrilled that the two of you are getting along.”
Hope followed Aron with her eyes until he sat down next to Decan. She waved at him rather shyly, like a teenager with her first crush. Decan grinned back and blew her a kiss that turned her cheeks as red as her swimsuit.
“You two are adorable,” Lilly hushed and leaned back, sipping on her cocktail. “If you two don’t work out, I promise to torture him by keeping you around as my friend.”
Decan
Decan smiled, relishing the domestic feeling he got in watching Hope sunbathe with his sister by the pool. Every so often she tossed him a breath-taking smile that made his heart stutter. When dinnertime approached, Hope and Lilly returned with a tipsy sway to their step.
“Hungry?” Decan asked, pulling Hope to his side.
“Starving actually.”
“We’d better change and get some food.”
As they made their way back to their room, Aron called after them. “No naps this time!” Judging by the tone in his voice, they still didn’t believe that all they’d done was sleep.