He made a face that said it was a bad idea before saying, “Really? Why? My family will be here.”

“We’ve never spent a holiday apart, so I don’t know. He wants to come, and I said I’d talk to you about it,” she said, chewing on the inside of her lip.

“I don’t know, baby. Do you think it’s a good idea?”

She shrugged. It probably wasn’t, but she wanted her family and his all together. “I don’t know. I mean, it’s up to you. You made plans with your family; I don’t want to change them.”

His eyes darkened as he shook his head. “This is our first Thanksgiving as a couple in our new home. I want you to be happy.”

“I know, but I don’t want you to be uncomfortable,” she said, looking away.

Lifting her chin, he met her gaze and asked, “Do you want him to come?”

Still chewing on her lips, she knew she did. Like she had said, they’d never spent a holiday apart, and while it was probably time to grow up and allow that to happen, so much had already changed. Maybe spending holidays together could be the one thing that could stay the same, and maybe her family could figure out a way to tolerate Karson.

“Yeah, I think I do.”

“Then invite him. We have the room.”

A grin pulled at her lips as she met his gaze. “Are you sure?”

“If it makes you happy, yes,” he said, kissing the side of her mouth. “I can deal as long as you are smiling.”

Cupping his face, she kissed his bottom lip before beaming at him. “I love you, husband.”

“And I love you, wife.”

Something still wasn’t sitting right about Nate Martin coming to Thanksgiving dinner. While he wanted to believe that he had Lacey’s best interest in mind, Karson couldn’t help thinking the asshole would come to sabotage their first holiday together. He didn’t want to think that of his father-in-law, but come on, the guy didn’t have a good track record. Usually, he would say tell the guy to fuck off, but he knew Lacey wanted this. Her dad was an asshole, but he was her dad. He just hoped that Nate had Lacey’s happiness in mind and not his own. Knowing him though, he probably didn’t. This was just a way to get close to her and push Karson away. But no matter how much Karson didn’t feel right about it, he’d do anything for her.

Even spend a holiday with Nate Martin.

He loved her, and as he drove to Shea and Elli Adler’s house, his hand in her lap, her fingers tangled with his, he knew he’d probably face a billion Nate Martins just for the chance to be near her. She was stunning. In a long, tight skirt, she had a white blouse on that was lacy at the top, giving a sexy but very classy view of her breasts. Her hair was in a high bun, her makeup heavy and dramatic, and her heels were tall and sexy. She looked like she had been taken out of some sort of city magazine before being placed in the seat beside him, and he couldn’t help but be turned on more than anything.

His wife was a hottie.

Squeezing her hand, he said, “You look gorgeous, sweetheart.”

She smiled over at him, but the smile didn’t reach her eyes. “Thank you.”

With his brows coming in from her nervous grin, he asked, “What’s wrong?”

“I have to admit, I’m a little nervous to meet your friends.”

He laughed. “They are awesome. The guys are okay, I guess, but you’ll like the wives. Elli is great. She is friendly and you’ll love her. Audrey is nice, her sister Fallon is kinda bitchy, but that’s only when she is pregnant. Unfortunately, she’s pregnant right now. Piper and Reese are good people, so you should be good. Just make sure that Fallon is always eating, and you shouldn’t have a problem.”

She giggled. “Feed the pregnant woman and everyone is nice—I think I got it.”

He kissed the back of her hand and nodded. “I’m sure you’ll have a great time. They are really great people. They are my family here.”

“I’m excited to meet them,” she said just as they pulled into Shea’s driveway.

“Here we are,” he said, shutting the car off and getting out. Going around, he opened the door and helped her out. Taking in her long legs and killer shoes, his groin tightened even more. “Shit, woman, those heels are killing me.”

She gave him a sneaky grin before she whispered, “Maybe I’ll wear them to bed tonight.”

“Oh yes, please do,” he practically begged as he wrapped his arms around her waist. Looking deep into her sparkly green eyes, he could tell she was happy. He loved the grin that sat on her lips, the way her eyes shone with love, and how she just looked utterly blissful. He did that. He made sure his woman was the happiest she could be and he wouldn’t stop. His sole purpose in life was to make sure this woman was loved, supported, taken care of, and completely happy. He had done really well so far, and the future looked positive for them.

As long as Nate didn’t mess with them.

Holding her face, he ran his thumbs along her cheeks as his eyes locked with hers. He couldn’t believe that he was leaving her in a matter of days. After spending every waking moment with her, it was going to be as hard as it had been nine years ago to walk away from her. Yeah, he knew she was a phone call away, but he was going to miss her eyes, her lips, her body, everything.

“It’s gonna be hard leaving you for two weeks.”

Her grin dropped as she nodded. “It’s gonna suck. Hide me in your suitcase?”