Chapter Eleven

CHAPTER ELEVEN

I‘m nervous.

If my own father doesn’t like me,

who’s to say three strangers will?

~ Zayne

“WAIT, WHAT DID you just say? Where are you?”

Shayla’s disbelief echoed in Chloé’s ear as she stared out at the water lapping up on the shore of Ethan and Zayne’s private estate. It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon, and if anyone had told her a couple of months ago that she would be waiting for her fathers to join her and her boyfriends for a weekend away, she would’ve called them insane.

“I’m, uh, spending the weekend in Winnetka with Ethan, Zayne, and…my parents.”

“Holy shit.” Shayla snorted. “That’s what I thought you said.”

She started laughing uncontrollably, and Chloé let her go, knowing there was no use in even trying to talk when Shayla was in one of her fits of hilarity.

“You done?” she finally asked as the laughing subsided.

“I mean, come on. You have to admit that’s—”

“Crazy? I know. Welcome to my life.” Chloé shook her head. “I swear, this week has been nuts.”

“Okay, I’m sorry. You just caught me off guard, that’s all. I didn’t even know your parents knew about Ethan and Zayne.”

“Yeah, that’s a recent development. While you’ve been busy at work, I’ve been busy trying to navigate the disaster that is now my life.” Chloé sighed. “You know that date I went on last weekend?”

“Yeah.”

“Guess who was catering it?”

There was a pause, and then, “Nooo.”

“Oh yes.” Chloé winced, the memory of that night not one she really wanted to revisit. Well, not the ballroom part, anyway. “Let’s just say they weren’t impressed.”

“Um, no surprise there. So, should I pack a bag and go into hiding?”

“No, no. They’re not mad at you.”

“They’re not? But I’m the one who took you to the club.”

“Uh, yeah, so about that. They know about Ethan and Zayne, but I might’ve left the other part out.”

“Chloé…”

She winced, her guilt over that omission still gnawing at her—but seriously, how did someone explain that to their fathers? Her père had said her private life was her private life, and some things were best left a mystery to one’s parents.

“I know. But they don’t want to know that. They know I met them through you and at the restaurant. That’s not a lie.”

“Okay.” Shayla chuckled. “But that still doesn’t explain the family trip to Winnetka.”

“Oh, well, after the Copeland function last weekend, there were reporters trying to find out who Zayne and Ethan’s mysterious redheaded date was, so…”

“Winnetka it is.”

“Right.”

“You know, I would feel sorry for you, but I’ve met Ethan and Zayne, and you don’t deserve any kind of pity. Those two are smoking hot.”

A smug grin hit her lips as she turned to look up at the sprawling home behind her. “Seriously, how is this my life?”

“Because you’re you. Nothing has ever been ordinary for you. Why should this be any different?”

Shayla had a point, but that didn’t make the prospect of the next forty-eight hours any less stressful.

“Just remember, your fathers had to go through a very similar thing when they met Nonna and Pop.”

“You’re right.” Chloé wrapped an arm around her jittery stomach. “I’m just…nervous, I guess.”

There was a pause, and for a moment Chloé thought her phone might’ve died until Shayla said, “You really like them, don’t you?”

Chloé thought about everything that had happened that week and how much closer she felt to them because of it. “Yeah, I do. It’s all been so fast, but it feels like I’ve known them for years. Is that crazy?”

“Sometimes that’s how it happens. Try not to stress and just be yourself. Show your fathers that you’re happy. That’s all they want to know.”

Chloé nodded. Those words were exactly what she’d needed to hear. Shayla was right—her parents just wanted her happy, and she’d never been more so. She just had to show them how Ethan and Zayne made her feel, and then they’d come around.

“Okay, I better get going. I want to get ready and, you know, maybe pop a Valium or something.”

Shayla laughed. “Good luck.”

“Yeah, thanks. I have a feeling I’m going to need it.”

* * *

“HOW DO YOU think she’s doing down there?” Zayne looked out from their bedroom’s balcony to where Chloé stood with a phone to her ear and the summer breeze swirling her dress around her ankles.

“I think she’s doing just fine. If I had to guess, she called up someone for a little pep talk before her fathers arrive.”

Zayne glanced over his shoulder to see Ethan buttoning his crisp white shirt. “I could do with one of those myself.”

Ethan’s eyes met his in the full-length mirror. “You’re nervous?”

Zayne slipped his hands into the pockets of his jeans as he made his way back inside and leaned against one of the massive posts of their bed. “I’m not exactly what parents look for when it comes to…you know, a boyfriend.”

Ethan tucked the tails of his shirt into his pants and turned to face him. “Had a lot of experience with that, have you?”

“You know what I mean. The tattoos, my father, my inability to watch what comes out of my mouth…”

Ethan’s eyes dropped to Zayne’s lips. “Then how about I watch it for you?”

Zayne’s dick stirred at the heat in those golden eyes. “Yeah, somehow, I don’t think that’ll help. Last thing I need is a hard-on the first time I meet her fathers.”

“Look, it’s going to be awkward no matter what, but not because of you. They’re curious about us and what we want with their daughter.”

Zayne blew out a breath and walked back to the balcony doors. “I just don’t want to fuck up, that’s all.”

“You’re not going to fuck up.” Ethan moved up beside him, but Zayne kept his eyes on the woman in the garden below.

“This just feels different, you know?”

“I know. She’s important, and you want them to like you.”

God, Ethan’s ability to zero in on exactly what he was feeling was uncanny. That was his biggest fear. After all, his own father didn’t even like him—who’s to say whether three strangers would?

“Hey?” Ethan turned to face him, but Zayne kept his eyes forward. The last thing Ethan needed was to worry about him this weekend. “You are one of the most easygoing people I know. Of the two of us, you’re the one people gravitate to. I’m the one that scares them away.”

Zayne nodded, trying not to get in his head, but as the clock ticked closer to arrival time, he couldn’t help but liken it to a bomb about to go off.

“Would it help if I told you what I know about them?” Ethan asked.

“I don’t know, would it?”

“Maybe. Maybe not.”

That finally got a smile out of him. Trust Ethan to keep shit real.

“Okay.” Zayne turned. “Tell me what you know.”

“Want the good or bad first?”

Zayne glared.

“All right. All right. Let’s see. Chloé’s dad seems very lighthearted. Younger than the other two, and easier with a smile. Sassy, I’d say, under the right circumstance. He also checked me out, so I’m thinking he’s going to like what he sees when he looks at you.”

“Maybe he’s just into suits?”

Ethan weighed that for a second, but shook his head. “He’s into men, and you are definitely all man.”

Zayne leaned back against the railing and crossed his arms. “Okay, so I’m assuming he’s the good? And the other two? Julien looked like he wanted to filet us at the ballroom.”

“Agreed. I thought he’d be tougher for sure, but he seemed a lot more composed this time around. Like, he’d either come to terms with that was going on or just had more time to process it.”

“Huh. Just as good looking up close?”

“Let’s just say I don’t think cooking is the only reason he’s a celebrity.”

“Gotcha. And the scary one?”

“He’s…” Ethan looked down to Chloé. “Imagine what I’d be like if I had a daughter.”

“Fucking terrifying?”

A savage smile hit Ethan’s lips. “Exactly.”

Zayne was about to respond when he heard, “Hey, you two? You coming down anytime soon?”

They looked down to see Chloé had pocketed her phone and was walking back up through the gardens.

“You good?” Ethan took Zayne’s hand in his.

“Yeah, that helped,” Zayne said, then he smiled down at Chloé. “Be right there.”

* * *

ETHAN GLANCED AT Zayne as they took the elevator downstairs, and was happy to see the tense shoulders were now relaxed. He brought their hands up and kissed the back of Zayne’s.

“Thank you,” Zayne said.

Ethan arched a brow, and Zayne shrugged.

“I got all up in my head back there.”

“That’s okay. This is something new. Something big. It would be weird if you weren’t nervous.”

“You’re not.”

The elevator reached the ground floor. “How do you know?”

Before Zayne could question him, Ethan led him toward the main living area, where the doors were pushed wide, inviting the outdoors in. It was a beautiful day, the forecast predicting nothing but blue skies ahead. The perfect setup for a perfect weekend.

Chloé and Zayne were nervous. It had been building over the last couple of days, and while Ethan did have some apprehension about how this would all go, he was going to do his very best to put their minds at ease.

If he was calm, they’d be calm, and one way to accomplish that was…

“Zayne? Would you like a drink?”

“God, yeah. A bourbon would be great.”

He headed to the bar, and Chloé stepped inside. “I was about to come looking for you two. I thought you might’ve run away.”

“Someone thought about it for a minute there…” Ethan replied.

She walked over to where Zayne had taken a seat and settled down on the cushion beside him. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry.” He chuckled, and while it was definitely more relaxed than minutes ago, Ethan still detected an underlying edge to it. “It’s just been a while since I’ve had to behave myself. That’s all.”

Chloé grinned and bumped her shoulder into his. “I can see how that might be worrying.”

Zayne grimaced, and her grin fell.

“Oh, you’re serious.”

“He’s dead serious.” Ethan picked up the glasses and walked over. He handed Zayne his bourbon and looked to Chloé. “Would you like something?”

“No, I’m good. Thanks.” Ethan took a seat as Chloé turned back to Zayne. “If it helps, I’m nervous too.”

“Uh, not sure that does help, Red.”

“Right. Well, I’m sure it’s going to be fine.” She flashed her best smile, but that resulted in Zayne downing the entire contents of his drink. “What?” She looked between the two of them. “I’m serious. I know I’ve been stressed about this, and yeah, I would’ve liked more time before it happened… But you both said it yourselves: my fathers love me, and as my cousin just reminded me, they just want me to be happy.”

“Exactly.” Ethan sipped on his drink and looked at Zayne’s empty glass. “You want another?”

“I’m not sure getting drunk is the best option here, but I am feeling more relaxed.”

“Good. That’s exactly what I was aiming for. Give him a cuddle, Chloé.” Ethan winked at her. “I think he needs it.”

Chloé snuggled in under Zayne’s arm and kissed his cheek. “They’re going to love you.”

“I think that might be pushing it.”

“No…” She sat up and looked him in the eye. “They are. You’re so fun and easy to talk to, you make me feel so comfortable around you.”

“Okay, suddenly I feel like a Labrador.”

“What’s wrong with that? Everyone loves a Labrador.”

“I think he’d rather be a German shepherd,” Ethan said. “Intimidating but lovable.”

Zayne rolled his eyes. “Can we stop talking about this? What time are they supposed to get here?”

Ethan glanced at the grandfather clock in the corner. “Driver picked them up about fifteen minutes ago, so another fifteen?”

“Okay, Red.” Zayne twisted on the couch until he was facing her. “Is there anything you can tell us that might make this easier? Something they like? Something we can all talk about?”

“Hmm.” Chloé pursed her lips. “Besides me, you mean?”

Zayne chuckled and kissed her on the nose, and the sound made Ethan smile. She was doing her best to relax him despite the fact she was nervous also.

“Yeah, besides you.”

“Well, my dad loves the eighties. The music and movies. Oh, he also loves karaoke, but let’s not go there. Père is all about expensive food and wine—the running joke is, he’s kind of a snob—but you have both of those, so he should be happy.”

“And your papa?” Ethan asked.

“Papa? Oh, he’s easy.”

“Really?” Zayne sounded as skeptical as Ethan felt.

The smile that crossed Chloé’s lips then reminded him of Zayne’s when people doubted his ability to read Ethan. It was almost triumphant. As though she held the key that only a few people would ever hold—and that intrigued him.

“Yes. He loves his family more than anything in the world, except perhaps Old Blue Eyes.”

“Sinatra.”

“Yep. It was even played at their wedding.”

“Huh. Interesting.”

“So, as long as you keep his family—a.k.a. me—happy and have some good music on hand, you should be fine.”

“Duly noted.” Ethan winked at her as he got to his feet. He collected Zayne’s empty glass and then gestured outside. “Why don’t you two head out front? I’m just going to let Isla know when they should arrive.”

Zayne took Chloé’s hand, and as the two of them headed out to the foyer, Ethan took a second to just watch them go. It was amazing how well Chloé had slipped into their dynamic. But when Zayne let her hand go and she wrapped her arm around his waist, he realized that they had slipped into hers too.

His heart warmed at the sight. He loved seeing her there in their home, and made a promise right then that he would do whatever it took to keep her there.