19. Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Nineteen

Susie

The leaves from the sugar maple trees look like they’re on fire as the sun hits them as they drift to the ground. One additional detail for me to remember to add to the story that is officially in full swing.

Turns out, all I had to do to alleviate my writer’s block was get married to the two people messing with my emotions.

It’s still hard to wrap my head around the fact that Chase and Adam are the same person. But now that I know, I can see where the similarities were staring me right in the face the entire time.

The man I’m getting to know in real life is exceeding my expectations, and I have to admit that I’m a bit smitten.

Not to mention that I haven’t been able to stop thinking about that kiss. The kiss that was so perfect I nearly melted, standing in place. The kiss that sealed my new last name and made me a wife.

The entire time his lips were on mine, I could feel him holding back. As much as I admired him for doing that, another part of me wondered what it would feel like to be claimed by him, not just with his last name but with his mouth and heart.

These thoughts have been running through my mind on repeat since Monday. If I wasn’t able to do something about them, I might just lose my mind. Luckily for me, I’m an author. I may not be kissing my husband in real life, but my characters have been kissing a lot.

So much that I’m starting to feel jealous of them. I won’t be able to continue this way much longer. Adam and I need to reconsider our no-kissing stance. Because I want to kiss him, and with how he’s been looking at me, I’m positive he’s been thinking about kissing me too.

When we had dinner on Monday, we made our dating status official. We also agreed to put a hold on the kissing for a little bit. It felt smart at the time, but not anymore.

I’m officially dating my husband; official dating can include kissing, right?

Yeah, we’re going to have a conversation about that, and soon.

My phone buzzes, and I see a text from Adam.

Adam: I’ll be home soon, but Nicole and Steve will be there a little before me. Adam: You’re good with them by yourself for about ten minutes, right?

Me: Of course.

The Jaguars are playing the Mavericks this week, and Adam invited him and his wife to stay for the weekend. We’re going to a hockey game, and then they’re coming to the game on Sunday. My palms have been sweating on and off ever since I found out about their visit.

Adam: Great. I promise I’ll be home as fast as I can.

A shiver runs through me when he says ‘home’. It's still mind boggling that the house I live in with my husband is where I visited my grandparents. The first time I walked through the front door as Mrs. Daniels I felt like I was home.

Adam: The Wolverines game starts at 7pm so we’ll leave right after I change.

Me: Sounds good. Me: I’m gonna admit, I’m a little bit nervous about meeting them.

Adam: I’m so sorry I won’t be there with you.

My stomach swoops. This man is seriously the sweetest. I know I write romance novels, but I’ve never experienced having feelings for a man so quickly. I’m pretty sure I’m already half-way in love with him.

Adam: You should know that Nicole is raving about you to everyone. Adam: I had to beg my mom and Olivia not to hop on a plane, but to wait for me to invite them.

Me: Thank you, Adam. Me: I know it’s hard with me not telling my family yet.

Adam: It’s really fine. Adam: Just letting you know my family is extremely impatient and excited. wink emoji

My mouth is dry and I swallow hard. The thought of meeting Adam’s family is delightful but overwhelming, especially since everything is so new.

I know they’re excited, I’m just not ready.

Especially since my family doesn’t know yet, I wonder if Adam told them that little tidbit of information. It’s not something we’ve talked about over the last five days living under the same roof.

Am I getting close to telling my family? I think so.

When? I don’t know.

When is it a good time to tell your family that you had an impromptu wedding to a man you’ve only known for a few weeks?

As a romance author you would think that I had a small inkling of how to fill in that plot. But let’s face it, that’s romance. When it comes to my real life, that’s a writer's block of a whole different kind.

I park the car next to the garage and kill the engine. I walk up the porch stairs, walk into the kitchen, and place my laptop on the counter. I notice the time on the microwave. Brie is going out to dinner with Josh for their first official ‘fake’ date.

I whip out my phone, a snarky grin on my face.

Me: Have fun on your date with my brother. Me: Can’t wait to see Tea Time’s take on it later.

Brie: You mean my ‘fake’ date. Brie: There won’t be any big news for them to report tonight.

Me: Sure, there won’t. sticking tongue out emoji Me: I’ll keep an eye out for the no ‘big news’.

Brie: Ha. Ha.

Tea Time’s close following of Josh and Brie has helped me plot out my next book in a series I’ve decided to write. It may just be the easiest story I’ve ever written. It’s practically writing itself. I won’t tell them it’s their story, but Brie will know once she reads it.

A wave of sadness washes over me. It’s been hard not telling Brie that I’m Mrs. Adam Daniels. Imagining what our weddings would be like is something we’ve talked about for as long as I can remember, but the last thing I want to do is ask her to keep a secret from Josh, especially now that they’re finally embracing how they feel about each other.

Even if only those of us on the outside can see it.

I run to my room and quickly change into Wolverines gear, choosing to rep goalie Duncan James’ jersey. Total grump in real life, but he’s the best goalie the Wolverines have had in a very long time.

Usually, a hockey game would be just up my alley. But with Nicole and Steve coming it feels a bit like a double date, and I’m completely frazzled.

Especially since it will be the first time Adam and I are out in public, together, as a married couple—o ur first date. Usually a first date has the possibility of kissing at the end of it. Does that still happen when it’s a double date with the couple coming back to your house?

Okay, that’s it. Adam and I definitely need to talk about kissing.

A knock at the back door is quickly followed by a male’s voice, ending my thoughts about kissing my husband/boyfriend.

“Hello? Susie? It’s Steve and Nicole. Adam told us—oh, there you are!” My feet falter as I walk in the kitchen. If Steve didn’t just introduce himself I would think it was Adam standing in front of me. Steve grins and I look a bit closer. “It’s like looking at your husband’s twin, isn’t it?”

I can’t help but chuckle.

“Please don’t mind him.” Nicole walks up to me, a warm smile on her face. “He thinks he’s funny.”

“Hey! I am funny,” Steve protests.

“Sure you are honey.” Nicole winks at him and the corners of my lips lift at the exchange. The love they feel for each other is written all over their faces. Turning her full attention to me, she wraps me in a bear hug. “You are even more gorgeous in person.”

Heat creeps up my cheeks and I smile at her. “Aww, you’re sweet, thank you.” I hear the Jeep pull into the driveway and feel my stomach flutter.

“I’ll be right back.” Steve runs out the door, I assume, to greet his brother.

“So tell me how everything’s going. Are you in love with Adam yet?” My eyes nearly pop out of my head and I laugh nervously. “Well, are you? I’m not sure how you couldn’t be. I fell in love with Steve the moment I met him. Which embarrassingly for me was literally after I fell at his feet.”

“That’s a story you will need to tell me about.” I laugh. Another storyline I’ve never thought of…love at first fall. Literally.

The door opens, and I see Steve and Adam dressed nearly identically—identical twins in identical outfits. I shake my head and point back and forth at each of them.

“Did you two plan this?”

“You’ll get used to this too,” Nicole whispers in my ear. “It’s some weird twin thing and it happens way too often.”

Adam walks over to me with a wide grin on his face. But I recognize almost immediately that it’s Steve.

“I’ll head upstairs and change really quickly, then we can head out,” he says with a sweet smile. I smile at him then look over at Adam.

“Doesn’t he mean you’ll go upstairs and change?” A heat fills Adam’s eyes, and a slow smirk slides across his lips sending tiny tingles down my spine. He slowly moves toward me, making my knees wobble.

“How did you know?” he asks, leaning in. He kisses me gently on the cheek, causing heat to spread in my stomach.

“Your dimples are different.” Both brothers burst out laughing.

“See,” Nicole joins in. “I told you! They did the same thing to me and I knew.”

“Even our mother has trouble telling us apart,” Adam says, the smirk now a full blown grin.

“What can I say.” I lift one shoulder shyly. “I can tell.”

Adam’s eyes swirl with emotion. He leans in and whispers softly against my ear. “I’m glad.” Goosebumps pop on my skin. He’s so close that If I just lean to the left I could touch my lips to his. “I’ll be right back. Do you want to take Steve and Nicole on a quick tour?”

My face flushes. I forgot Steve and Nicole are in the room with us.

“Sure.” I look at the two of them and find them staring at me with grins spread from ear to ear. This used to be my grandparents’ house. If you follow me, I’ll give you the tour my Gram used to give new guests.” I walk through the threshold and point. “Bathroom to your right and couch on the left.”

Adam’s laughter floats downstairs, just as I catch Steve and Nicole give each other a knowing look.

“You’re gonna fit right in.” Nicole slides her arm through mine. “I’m going to love having you for a sister-in-law.”

Warmth fills me, and I’m pretty sure I’m falling in love with not just Adam but also his family.