“Oh! Hello!” Mom gushes before pulling Baylor in for a tight hug. Well, really, Mom is doing the hugging. Baylor is just standing there with her arms to her sides. When they part, Mom cups her face and just smiles. “You are gorgeous. Good job, Jayden Mitchell.”

“Thanks, Mom,” I say, tucking my hands in my pockets. “She’s great.”

“I can’t wait to find that out for myself. Come on, Claire and Lucy, let’s all go in the kitchen to get to know her.”

Baylor’s eyes widen even more as Mom takes her into the kitchen, and when she looks back at me, I laugh. “Don’t worry, I’m coming too,” I say, but once we get in the kitchen, she really doesn’t need me. She fits in seamlessly as they all get to know each other. I don’t even know what she was worried about, but then I think it has to do with my mom. She can make even a rock feel like it’s part of the family. That’s why I never really understood why my dad didn’t love her. She’s so easy to love and to enjoy. She’s funny and she’s sweet as pie. And she can cook her ass off.

As much as it bothers me, I know I need to let it go. She’s better off without him. Stronger.

“You should come to the wedding, Baylor,” I hear Claire say as she sets the table with Baylor. “It’s on Valentine’s day, and I’m officially inviting you.”

Leaning back in my chair, I watch as Baylor looks at her, surprised. “Oh, well, yeah, I’d love to,” she says with a small smile as she hands her the forks.

“Good, I’m sure you’ll come with Jayden, but just in case, it’s at two and at the Fontanel Mansion!”

“I’ll be there,” she promises. “Can’t miss out on seeing that man in a tux.”

“Girl,” Claire says. “Right? They are so gorgeous. All of them.”

“Yeah,” she agrees with a grin before she looks back to see that I’m watching her. She then mouths, “Only you.” And I laugh as I nod.

“Sure,” I call to her, and she laughs before setting the spoons down in their spots.

“She’s great, Jayden. I like her a lot,” my mom says, bringing my attention to her.

Meeting her happy gaze, I nod. “Yeah, I think so too.”

“She’s a little awkward,” Lucy says with a grin. “But you’re a weirdo, so it works.”

Wrinkling my face at her, I stick my tongue out as my mom says, “Either way, you two are cute, and I agree with Jace. You can tell that you two are together.”

I shrug. “Yeah, I know, but she wants to keep it on the down low until after the season is over.”

“Why?”

“Her dad doesn’t want her to have any distractions, and she thinks he’ll think I’m that.”

She nods. “You are, you’re perfect,” she says, cupping my face as Lucy laughs.

“Perfectly stupid,” she teases, and I flip her off again as my mom rolls her eyes.

“You guys are so mean to each other. All of you,” she says, sprinkling some sugar in the green beans. “I don’t know why. I’ve done nothing but show y’all love.”

“Yeah, but you always told us we are all your favorites, so we are fighting to see who withstands the other three,” Jude says from beside me.

“Yeah, like the Hunger Games, Sinclair-style,” Jace says with a nod. “I’d so win.”

“The hell you would,” I snap.

“You’d die first,” Lucy adds.

“Yeah, ’cause Mom isn’t there to win for you!” Jude adds in too.

“Now, y’all leave him be. Come here, honey,” she says, wrapping her arms around his middle and hugging him close, which makes all of us laugh.

“You guys are just jealous,” he says, holding her tighter as she grins against his temple.

“No, you’re a freaking momma’s boy, Jace,” Markus says then, and Baylor nods.

“Like for real,” she adds.

“Fu-Screw you guys!”

Baylor laughs as she leans against me, her fingers dancing along my neck. Grinning up at her, I decide I need to get her alone. I want to give her her gift. Now.

Standing, I lace my fingers with hers and lead her out of the room.

“Not too long, Jayden,” Mom calls as we disappear into the hall. “Dinner is in ten.”

“He only needs five,” Jude says, and I roll my eyes.

“Ugh, you mean two?” Jace teases, snickering as my mom yells at him to shut up.

“You guys are so dumb,” Lucy says.

Peeking my head back in the kitchen, I say, “I knew you were my favorite.”

She gives me a sinister grin. “You didn’t let me finish. We all know you can only last thirty seconds.”

That has everyone rolling, even my mom. “Mom! Really?” I yell as Baylor’s body vibrates against mine. “You guys suck.”

Taking ahold of Baylor’s hand, I pull her down the hall as she laughs until we reach my room. Pushing the door open, I lead her in and then slam the door. Looking over at her smiling face, I frame it in my hands and press my lips to hers. As our mouths move together, we fall onto my bed, her leg hooking over my hip as I press my growing erection into her hot center. It’s been a long week without her intoxicating kisses, and I want to get my fill before she leaves.

As we part, she bites my chin before looking at me. “I can’t believe you told them I was your girlfriend.”

“You are, though,” I say, moving my fingers through her hair.

“But what if your mom talks to my dad or some crazy shit?” she asks, her fingers gliding along the edge of my ear.

Closing my eyes, enjoying the sensation, I shrug. “I’ll tell her to keep it quiet,” I say, nibbling down her jaw as her hair fans along my face. “Don’t worry.”

She doesn’t say anything else as my lips trail down her neck, and then she whispers, “I liked it.”

“Good, you taste so good,” I mutter, nibbling more and nuzzling my nose along her neck.

“No, I mean, I like that you called me that.”

Pulling back, I push her hair out of my face and grin up at her. “I’d scream it from the rooftops if you’d allow me to.”

Bending her head against mine, she sucks in a breath as she nods. “Soon.”