Mack knew he’d made a mistake asking Cass to join him for a full-family dinner. He’d gone back and forth over the idea to invite her, but after getting soused at her parents’, then losing his mind buried inside her last night, he’d had to ask.
Her parents had been wonderful. Polite and intelligent, compassionate and funny. No wonder Cass seemed like such a well-rounded individual. She knew her own worth and her own mind because her parents had raised her so well. And, man, did they love her. He could hear their pride in every word of her accomplishments. And he agreed. She was fucking wonderful.
Knowing about her sister’s passing helped paint a picture of a family who’d come together in grief and grown stronger. Her father had been delighted to point out several pictures of his daughters in addition to the photos of Cass winning some trophy or another. And one of her standing with Jed in their blues.
Mack’s family had plenty of photos strewn around the house. Tons of pictures of their boys in blue, but not so many of Mack in his gear, with his firefighting brethren. And, yeah, that did still bother him, even after so many years. As kids, James and Alec had drawn pictures of policemen that ended up on the refrigerator door. He had drawn fire trucks and planes and cars that ended up tucked away in a binder he had to keep in his room. And Xavier, well, he just acted like the police, constantly putting Mack in jail for imagined infractions.
A dick then, a dick now.
Mack and Cass parked down the street and walked past several vehicles to get to the walkway. Everyone had already arrived.
“Nice house,” she said, looking at the old two-story colonial located in Queen Anne.
“Yeah. I never lived here. They bought a nice place once their four boys moved out.” He smiled. “Can’t say I blamed them.”
“Where did you grow up?”
“West Seattle. Nice neighborhood, but I like living on the east side of the city better.”
“Me too.”
They smiled at each other.
He leaned in to whisper, “Remember, you liked me before we got here. Don’t judge me on my family.”
“Oh stop.” She kissed him just as the door opened, and Xavier of all people stood there.
His jaw dropped. “What the fuck?” His eyes narrowed. “Who hit you?”
“Xavier Anthony Revere, watch your mouth,” his mother said and shoved him aside. “Mack? What happened to your face?”
“Hazard of the job.”
She seemed to accept that because she turned to Cass and smiled. “Oh, hello. I’m Sandra, Mack’s mom.”
“Mom, this is Cass Carmichael, my date.” He smiled at his mother, who looked genuinely pleased to see him with someone, so much so that she didn’t grill him about his face.
“Cass, come on in.” She took Cass and pulled her inside. “You too, Mack.”
“Gee, thanks.”
Before he got two steps inside, his brother dragged him into their father’s office off the entrance.
“Cass Carmichael? What the hell?” Xavier asked.
Mack forced himself to be amiable. The role he always played when with family. Just let it all roll off. Don’t let it bother you. Breathe in, breathe out. “And happy Thanksgiving to you too. Yes, Cass is a friend of mine. What’s the problem?”
Xavier stared at him, and Mack knew the resemblance would have Cass looking at all of them all night. Unfortunately, Mack and his siblings looked like carbon copies of their father. James was the tallest, Xavier the most muscular, and Alec in between, while Mack could have been his father’s twin if his father were three decades younger.
“No problem,” Xavier said slowly. “Just don’t be fucking around with her.”
Mack paused. “Excuse me?” Before he could ask what the hell business of Xavier’s his dating life was, their father entered.
“Mack, good to see you, son.” His dad pulled him in for a bear hug. “I hear you bumped into a door at work.” Mack rolled his eyes. Nice, Mom. “It’s been a while.”
“A few weeks, maybe,” Mack muttered and forced himself not to play the dysfunction game. No blaming or shaming tonight. He relaxed his shoulders and ignored Xavier. “How’s the turkey looking, Dad?”
His father laughed. “Your mom won’t let me step a foot in the kitchen.” He put an arm around Mack and walked him out into the grand living room, which overlooked a huge dining table with a ton of chairs and the kitchen across the open floor plan. “Who’s the looker?”
Cass glanced over her shoulder at him and winked, then turned back to his mother, who was telling her about something to do with the stuffing.
“Dad.” Mack blew out a breath.
He noticed everyone else in the living room, nibbling on snacks and watching a basketball game. Although Alec and Dean seemed to be talking to Ashley, James’s wife, while James and Sasha, Xavier’s girlfriend, yelled at the TV.
“The looker is a friend of mine. Cass works in the South Precinct with Xavier.”
His father’s eyes brightened. “Oh ho, another officer on site. Good to know the house is protected from criminals and fire,” he said and squeezed Mack’s shoulders. “How are Reggie and the fellas?”
“Just fine.” He gave his dad a rundown of his friends while keeping an eye on Cass. He should probably head over there to introduce everyone, but it was nice to have his dad’s attention, and in a positive way.
Cass didn’t seem to have any problems as she talked with his mom, overlooking the kitchen.
James yelled, “Commercial break,” and everyone scattered.
Mack grinned. “Wow, it’s like halftime for everyone, not just the guys on the big screen.”
“Yeah. I’d better hit the bathroom before Xavier gets a shot. I swear, I don’t know what he eats, but it never ends well.”
“TMI, Dad.”
His father barked a laugh and left. Mack searched out his family and hugged everyone hello, trying to be nice as he made his way to Cass.
Almost there, he stopped when Dean cut in front of him with a smile. “Been a long time, Mack. Nice face.”
Mack shook his hand and oomphed as Dean pulled him in for a hug.
“Hey, get your hands off my man before I bruise the other cheek,” Alec warned, tugged Mack away, then smiled. “Hey, little brother, about time you came over to say hi.”
“Dad was interrogating me. I couldn’t get past him.”
“The old man’s still got it,” Alec mused then laughed and lowered his voice. “I can’t believe you brought Cass here. I thought you liked her.”
Mack relaxed. “I do. I thought since we were having a big old turkey dinner, everyone would be too chill after eating to be too annoying.”
Dean frowned. “But Xavier’s here. You knew he was coming, right?”
Mack snorted. Dean, like him, could tolerate Xavier in small bursts. “I did and came anyway. That’s how much love I have for this family.”
“Yeah, no shit,” Alec said before taking a healthy swallow of soda. “Me too.” He nodded at Dean. “I told him all about our lunch. And about how long it took you to open the door and let me in.” His brows rose up and down, and for some reason, Mack blushed.
Dean pointed at him and said to Alec, “I told you he really liked her.”
“What are you talking about?” Mack should really go save Cass from his parents’ version of “the gauntlet.” Which would mean talking her ear off. And God forbid Xavier got to her. Mack hadn’t wanted to alarm her, since she did kind of work with the guy. But maybe he should have told her how obnoxious Xavier could be when in a nonwork environment.
“You blushed,” Dean explained. “You’re the most even-tempered of all your brothers. You’re mellow, pleasant to be around, and don’t get overly excited, even when Xavier is showing off how much of a douche he really is.”
Alec choked on his drink.
“Oh please. We all know it.”
And that’s why Mack loved Dean. The guy didn’t hide behind platitudes. He had no problem with the truth. As tall as Alec but built on stronger lines, the guy was even prettier than Mack, and Mack was pretty damn good-looking. He still couldn’t believe his brother had nabbed the guy, but somehow they’d fallen for each other, moved in together, and gotten engaged.
Hmm. Would Cass move in with him at some point? He did have a larger house than she did, though he admitted he liked the character of her home.
“…which is how I can tell you’re really into her,” Dean was saying.
“Er, right.”
Dean guffawed. “Spacing out! Classic crush behavior.”
“You put way too much thought into my personal life,” Mack muttered.
Alec scowled at his fiancé. “Yeah.”
Dean made a sad face. “Aw, baby, don’t be jealous. You’re still better-looking than all of them.”
Alec puffed his chest out.
Mack rolled his eyes. “Gross. I’m out of here before you bury him in lies. Next thing you know, you’ll be telling me he’s the most athletically gifted of all of us, which is just a blatant untruth. And look at that paunch. He’s not as in shape as he used to be.”
“Paunch? What paunch?” Alec’s eyes widened, and he looked down at himself.
Dean shook his head. “I’m glad I’m an only child.”
Mack darted away as Dean soothed Alec, in search of his own partner. He found himself thinking about Cass as his girlfriend more and more. He hadn’t thought he’d fall for her so fast. Heck, that he’d fall for anyone, really. He had no idea why because he’d been dating girls since high school.
No stranger to affection for the opposite sex, Mack had simply never felt a soul-deep connection before. Despite what Tex and the guys thought, he had dated women for more than a month at a time. None of them stuck, for one reason or another.
He glanced at Cass, now talking with his mom, Ashley, and Sasha. Holding her own, if that smile on her face was any indication. She didn’t seem to need him for anything, but she liked spending time with him.
He still couldn’t believe she’d had to ask if he’d been wearing a condom. He should have been offended that she could think he’d do something like that, but instead he felt more than satisfied. She’d been so hot for him she hadn’t cared enough to stop him before asking.
God, had he ever shared that kind of chemistry with anyone before? He liked her so damn much, and for more than her smokin’ body. She was the whole package, especially the competitive, snarky side of her that enthralled him.
He sighed, found a can of soda from the fridge, and popped the top for a long drink. Better get my head on straight before everyone realizes how much I love—like—her. He wiped the cold can against his forehead, needing to cool off.
Then he marshaled his features and steadied himself, prepared to be pleasant as he went in search of his friend. Not girlfriend, but friend. Because he had no doubt if she learned how much he liked her, she’d cut him loose. And he couldn’t bear to live with a lack of Cass in his life. Not now. Maybe not ever.
***
Cass smiled at something Mack’s mom said about canned cranberry sauce versus the fresh stuff, an argument she’d been having with her father for years.
She tried to tune in but kept getting distracted by the cheerful atmosphere.
The house was gorgeous and festive, already decked out with a few garlands and ornamental centerpieces. Sandra was super nice. She looked Cass in the eye when talking, listened to what Cass had to say, and smiled a lot. She seemed thrilled that Cass had come with Mack, which was a surprise. Cass couldn’t imagine Mack had a dearth of lady friends. But maybe very few he’d brought home?
That thought pleased her. Too much.
She turned to the two women she’d just been introduced to and smiled. Ashley, married to the oldest, James, seemed as nice as Mack had said she was. A woman with light-brown skin and an expressive face, she seemed to glow with joy. And pregnancy, Cass recalled, not seeing much of a baby bump.
“I know whatever Alec comes up with will work. He’s pretty particular about details though.” She rested her hand on her stomach. “Oh my gosh, Sandy, I can’t wait to eat. My stomach has been growling all day, and the smell of what’s in the oven is killing me.”
Cass laughed. “Me too. I wasn’t going to say anything, but my stomach is growling overtime. What are you making to go with the turkey?”
“What isn’t she making, you mean?” The other woman with them asked. Tall, with short, dark hair and intense eyes, Sasha appeared to be dating Xavier. From what Cass had been told, the woman worked as a 911 operator and had nerves of steel. “I hope you made a lot of mashed potatoes. And sweet potatoes too. I can’t help it. I love the starch family. Can you tell?”
Sasha had a voluptuous figure, and she owned her curves. Personally, Cass felt a little underwhelming standing near her. But then, she didn’t need to look ultrafeminine and sexy for Mack to like her.
She glanced over to see him talking to Alec and Dean.
“Which is why I made some of everything for you.” Sandy smiled. “So you can keep that amazing figure. Honey, if I had looked like you when I met my husband, I would have made him work even harder to win me over. I still think he got off lightly.”
Jimmy walked by. “What’s that, Cath?”
She snorted. “You still owe me a honeymoon.”
“Oh boy. Not this again,” Jimmy muttered. He turned around. “Forgot my drink.”
“In your hand?” Sandy yelled after him. “Wimp.”
A familiar argument, apparently. The women laughed, and Cass found them all funny and sweet. She didn’t have a lot of women friends. Shannon had been her first real girlfriend for any length of time. Growing up, Cass had always tended to bond with boys. She’d had her fair share of teasing, but she didn’t know how to explain it. She liked being a girl, but she seemed to get along better with the male of the species. Until Shannon, another sarcastic, honest-to-the-skin, funny woman.
And now, these ladies, who treated her as if she belonged without really knowing her.
Sean’s parents and sisters had been standoffish, as if always measuring her worth.
“What about you, Cass?” Mack’s mom asked her. “What’s your favorite dish?”
He’s standing over there with Alec and Dean. “Oh, I like stuffing. It’s a sickness.”
“Me too,” Ashley agreed. “Although lately I seem to like everything.”
James appeared at his wife’s side and kissed her. “Hey, Ash. You doing okay?” He put his hand over hers, protectively on her belly. “Ash Junior isn’t giving you any trouble, is she?”
“Not yet. But she’s hungry.”
James smiled.
Cass had a tough time not staring at the gorgeous Reveres. She’d known of Xavier and Mack’s resemblance, of course, but seeing all five Revere men together had given her brain freeze.
That sweet look on James’s face for his wife, she’d seen that on Mack’s when looking at her. She turned to see him staring at her and drinking a soda as if dying of thirst. When he saw her watching, he winked.
She felt her cheeks heating and turned back to Ashley. “When are you due?”
“Another five months. We don’t exactly know it’s a girl, but James seems sure.”
“I can just tell.” He smiled at his wife, kissed her on the cheek again, and grabbed more olives from the refrigerator. “Besides, what a nightmare if we keep having boys, right, Ma?”
“You said it.” She cleared her throat. “I mean, boys are a joy. So easy to manage.”
Mack joined them and laughed. “Yeah, right. I was the easy one. The others were nightmares.”
“Oh please.” Alec joined them. “Tell them, Ma, how I helped you all the time when I was little. It was the others who caused you so much mental anguish.”
“Yeah, this one right here.” Sandy put her son in an awkward, pretend headlock, which had Cass laughing since Alec clearly stood several inches taller than his mother. “So neat and orderly.”
“That’s a good thing.” Alec escaped his mother’s hold and hugged her. “I was the good son.”
“You were a snot who was obsessive about neatness,” Mack corrected. He said to Cass, “If you touched anything of his, he’d steal your toy cars and refused to tell you where he hid them. James would lecture you. Xavier would beat on you.”
“That’s my man, a brute,” Sasha said with humor.
“But Alec would ‘clean’ your room and hide all your stuff. So traumatic. I still have nightmares,” Mack ended as he stood next to Cass, not touching her but showing everyone they’d come together.
She had to give it to him. Mack had been doing pretty well about not beating his chest and toting Cass around by her hair. She grinned, the ridiculous image amusing.
“What’s so funny?” he whispered when everyone started harping on Alec’s fascination with cleanliness.
“Oh, nothing.”
“Tell me.” He drew closer, his arm on the counter behind her. Almost hugging, but not quite.
As much as Cass liked their relationship free of labels and possessive standards, she admitted to liking him so close. Would he kiss her in front of everyone? Would she mind if he did?
She was about to answer him when she noticed Xavier frowning at them.
She raised a brow, but his brother’s expression didn’t change. If anything, it grew darker the longer he looked at Mack.
Cass didn’t like it. Before she could say anything, Dean called them back over because the game had started again. Everyone but Mack and Cass gravitated into the living room.
“Okay, you two. Shoo. I need to get organized.” Sandy paused. “Ah, Jimmy, there you are. Come help me.”
“Sure thing. What do you need?”
Mack drew Cass with him toward the dining area, still in full view of the kitchen and living room.
“Geez. How big is this space? It’s like the size of my whole house, and it’s just their first floor.” Cass looked around her.
“And that’s not including the office, bathroom, laundry room, and master suite down the hall.”
“Great. Now I really feel like a peon.”
She felt someone looking at her and glanced toward the living area to see Xavier glaring before he turned back to the TV, cheering with the group at the action onscreen.
Cass glared at the back of Xavier’s fat head and murmured, “If your brother keeps looking at me like that, I’m going to punch him in the throat.” She hadn’t expected Mack’s loud laugh. “Shh.”
“Sorry. That’s something I’d pay to see.” He leaned closer to whisper, “How do multiple orgasms all night long sound as payment?”
She blushed. “Mack. Not here.”
He grinned, the tension that seemed to grip him the moment they’d stepped foot in his parents’ house gone, at least for the moment. “Don’t worry, Cass. I won’t get all possessive with you, even though I really want to kiss you.”
She did it for him, a quick though loving kiss that told him she cared. Then, feeling embarrassed for putting them on display, she said gruffly, “Now will that shut you up?”
He zipped his lips, then ruined it by laughing. “How about if I punch him in the throat? What will you give me?”
“Dinner!” Sandy called out.
Saved from trying to come up with an answer, Cass discreetly patted him on the ass.
“Hey.” He grinned. “Save that for later.”
She would have answered with something sarcastic but saw his father staring at them. She blushed three shades of red, especially when Jimmy chuckled and said, “Yep. Mack’s a real chip off the old block.”