“Mmm. It’s what’s best for their captain, so that’s got to count for something.”
I run my hand through his rough stubble he hasn’t shaved in the days he was away. “Is that a gray hair I spot in your beard?” I mock gasp.
His eyes widen slightly before narrowing on me. “What? No, you’re mistaken.”
“I’m not sure if I am. Wow, thirty-one. You’re getting up there, old man. Maybe I should reconsider hitching myself to your station wagon.”
“You’re teasing again. And, might I point out, lying to yourself. You know I’d be a silver fox if I got any grays in my beard.”
“You’re right, you would be a silver fox,” I hum in agreement, imagining what he’d look like. My stomach sinks at the realization that I may not be with him still when that time comes.
“It’ll happen sooner rather than later, I’m sure, between Walker, you, and Gemma, the women in my life are causing me a lot of stress,” he admits just as Gemma walks through the side door of the DMV holding a piece of paper in the air.
“I passed!” she squeals in excitement, and when she sees Bennett, her smile only widens further. “Benny! What are you doing here? Happy birthday, birthday twin!”
“Hey, Gems. Happy birthday,” he tells her as she gives the two of us hugs. “I came right here after our flight landed hoping I’d be able to take the two of you to lunch to celebrate you passing your test. We knew you could do it.”
She smiles at the two of us before her expression turns hesitant. “If you don’t mind, I was hoping to maybe go to school for the last part of the day since we have early release anyway. Eva and I were going to celebrate at lunch hour if I passed, and, well—” She shrugs, holding up the paper halfheartedly.
“Of course, it’s your birthday,” I tell her.
“Besides, that way you two can go out to lunch just the two of you as a birthday date since we’ve got the holiday party tonight,” she suggests.
Bennett pats her on the shoulder. “Hear that, Scar? We’ve got the smartest sixteen-year-old living under our roof.”
Gemma rolls her eyes, feigning annoyance. “Yeah, and said sixteen-year-old has the most embarrassing guardians on the planet.”
My throat swells with emotion hearing their back-and-forth exchange. I’d probably focus on the tiny voice in the back of my head warning me that this is too much too fast if it weren’t for the way my heart is beating overtime from the joy I feel.
Later, I’ll reflect on this and decide whether this is too much. Later, I’ll try to decipher what it is we’ve turned into.
Bennett
After a lunch consisting of cake batter pancakes—apparently a birthday tradition in this house—I’m unpacking my suitcase while Scar finishes coordinating the logistics of Gemma’s Christmas present.
“Knock, knock,” Scar says as she walks into our closet.
“You know you don’t have to knock, right? You’ve seen it all,” I tell her and send a wink her way when I turn around. It’s almost comical the way my eyes widen in surprise as my jaw drops to the floor.
“I thought I’d give you one of your birthday presents now, before the kids get home from school.”
Scarlett stands before me in an oversized wool dress jacket that’s unbuttoned, exposing her mouthwatering lingerie set that matches her light pink heels with satin ribbon that laces up her ankles and lower calves.
“Do you like it? I designed the entire outfit myself,” she informs me as she closes the distance between us and does a spin so I can take in her ensemble.
“Scarlett,” I rasp, pulling her in by the lapels of the charcoal jacket. That’s when I notice that it’s a men’s jacket. “Is this for me?”
“Yes,” she says shyly.
Shifting the jacket open, so it’s hanging just off her shoulders, I drag my hand over the oversized pink satin bow that’s containing her breasts. “And this? Is this for me?” My voice sounds like gravel.
“Only you, birthday boy.”
“When you say you designed this?”
“The jacket, the lingerie, the shoes—all of it.”
“When? How? How did I not know you were a designer?”
