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She tried not to be embarrassed it wasn’t much more than a tote bag, but it was not like she had actual luggage. She’d never had a need for it. Just duffel bags and totes.
She slid in and they pulled away from the curb to drive to where they were catching the helicopter.
“West doesn’t own a helicopter,” he said. “In case you were thinking that.”
“A jet is enough?” she asked, forcing a smile.
“It is, but this is a charter company he has under contract. He doesn’t use it enough to own it. Abby flew in last night and they drove to the Hamptons since they’d be there longer.”
“Is he flying back with us on Monday morning? Laken too?”
“No,” he said. “Laken is leaving on Sunday and Foster will only be there today. Abby is staying until Tuesday night, so West will take her to the airport then and come back.”
“So we are staying the longest?” she asked. “West is okay with that?”
“He is more than okay with it,” he said. “His place is big. They have the primary on the first floor, we’ll be upstairs and there is almost like another living quarter up there. We’re out of the way and will do our thing. It’s fine.”
“If you say so.”
“What’s wrong?” he asked, reaching for her hand. “Is it just nerves or something else?”
She turned to look at him. She didn’t want to say this but figured she might as well. “Do they know about the whole fake ring?”
He laughed. “They do. Don’t worry. I just had to explain how we met.” She put her head down and he lifted her chin up to look at him. “What?”
“The diamond fell out just now when I was leaving. I knocked it on the floor. I don’t care, but now I’m not sure what to do come Tuesday.” At least it was a long holiday weekend for Columbus Day and would give her time to figure it out.
“Nothing,” he said. “No one says people have to wear their engagement rings all the time. People know we are together, right?”
“They do. But they might think you broke up with me,” she said.
“Not happening,” he said. “Stay with me Monday night. We’ll go into the coffee shop together. You won’t have the ring on and it won’t make a difference.”
“I can’t ask you to do that,” she said. “You’ve already done so much.”
He laughed at her. “Not really and you aren’t asking me. I’m offering. I want to do it. Maybe I want everyone who doesn’t know to realize that I exist and who I am.”
She turned and looked at the grin on his face but saw the truth in his eyes. “Okay,” she said. “We can do that and I’ll put it from my mind.”
“Good,” he said. “Sit back and relax. My siblings are great. Laken is outspoken but not in a bad way. Foster might not speak much at all. West, he’s not like you hear people talking about, and Abby, she’s great. You’ll love her.
Three hours later, she realized that Braylon was right.
Abby was only a few years older than her and they got along great. Laken had a snarky wit about her, but it was directed toward her brothers while she was open, friendly and accepting of her.
West talked more with his siblings than her, but he was also accepting and open. His smile and welcome were genuine.
Foster, he did keep to himself too, but again, not one of the siblings made her feel like she wasn’t good enough for Braylon.
“I’m going to get dinner started,” Abby said. “I know you four have things to talk about.”
She looked at the siblings and saw they did. “Can I help you in the kitchen?” she asked.
“You can,” Abby said. “I like to cook when West and I are together. Makes me feel a little bit more like a normal couple and not someone who can call up his private chef.”
“He has one here?” she asked when they were in the kitchen of the beautiful beach house.
Lilian tried not to let her eyes pop out of her head. She was expecting something like this but found the inside was extremely comfortable and cozy feeling.
