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“He’s smiling,” I tell Ryder.
“Talk soon.” The line goes dead, and I place my phone on the small table next to the rocking chair.
“When you get older, just know that our big-ass family will stick their noses into everything that you do. Your aunts, uncles, cousins. The family motto is work hard and love harder, and let me tell you, every single person with the last name Kincaid takes that motto to the nth degree. Of course, I do, too, but when it’s all directed at you, it can be overwhelming.”
Finn finishes his bottle, letting it fall from his lips. I take the receiving blanket and clean him up before sitting him up on my lap. “Just remember, they do it out of love.”
Finn lets out a large burp and I laugh. My feelings exactly.
“Life lessons?”
I glance up to see Courtney standing in the doorway. Her head is leaning against the door frame, her long black hair hanging over her shoulder.
“Start them young.” A soft puff of laughter fills the room.
“Jordyn wanted me to tell you she’s on the phone with a supplier, but as soon as she’s done, she’ll come and take Finn. Unless you want me to take him?”
“Nah, we’re good, right, little man?” I ask my nephew. I make a funny face and he cracks up laughing. His baby laugh shakes his little body and I wish I could bottle the sound and sell it. Pure joy, we could make millions.
“You’re good with him.”
“We’re buds.” I lift Finn to stand on my legs. He is a little wobbly but growing stronger every day. He bounces as I keep a tight hold on him, and he graces me with more of his baby laughter.
“Merrick, thank you for offering to help me, but really, you don’t have to. I’m sorry that I dragged you into this.”
This is it. This is my chance to back out. I can avoid the teasing of my brothers and the scheming of my sisters-in-law, but there’s a bigger part of me that doesn’t want out of this. Maybe it was the defeat in Courtney’s eyes as she explained. Maybe it’s me being selfish and wanting to spend time with the beauty standing before me. Maybe I’m just a nice guy, and I really do want to help her. Either way, I know I’m not backing out.
“You backing out on me, Court?” I keep my tone light.
“No, but I’m giving you an out.”
“I don’t need an out. I knew what I was agreeing to. It’s all going to be fine, Courtney. I promise. We’ll hang out a few times and go to the wedding. It’ll be fun.” I shrug like it’s no big deal. It really isn’t, unless your last name is Kincaid and your mission in life is to get me married off and have babies like the rest of my brothers.
“You say that, but my mother is going to insist I bring you to dinner. Soon,” she adds with a look of despair on her face.
There is something in that look. Something that tugs at the strings of my heart. I know my family gives me a hard time, but never to the point that I feel like I have to fake a relationship to get them off my back. Now, I want to help her even more.
“So, we have dinner with them. We’re dating, right?”
“Merrick, that’s—a lot. I can’t ask you to do that.”
“You didn’t ask me. I volunteered,” I remind her again. “Come on, it’ll be fun. I’m a fun guy.” I give her a cheesy grin, and she chuckles, which is what I was hoping for. I don’t like seeing her upset and worrying her bottom lip like she was seconds ago.
“I’m sure my family is going to want to meet you too.” I shrug.
“Jordyn knows. Will the others?”
“Yeah, Ryder already called me, and I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before the others know I offered to help you out. They like to give me shit, but they’re nice guys. Just be warned, they’re going to do everything they can to play matchmaker between us.”
Her eyes flash, but it’s not worry, it’s something I can’t name, but it’s quickly replaced with a smile. “I promise I won’t embarrass you.”
“What? Embarrass me? Courtney, just be you. Don’t put all this pressure on yourself. We’re going to have a fun few months. Just two friends practicing their acting skills.”
“I’ve never been a good actor.”
That makes me laugh. “We’ll figure it out. Just pretend I’m any other guy you’ve dated. It will all fall into place.”
“Thank you, Merrick. I—my mom is great. She’s just relentless when she gets her mind set on something. You’re saving me from three months of nagging and lectures on how I’m not getting any younger and being reminded my little sister is married and I’m not.”
