Page 102 of By Invitation Only

“At the same firm as Booker?” Dad inquired.

“No, Si—No, at a different one.”

I squeezed her hand. She was trying to be polite, and all I wanted to do was smother her in kisses. I knew she’d have no problem fitting in with my family, even if it had only been twenty minutes.

“Do you ever go against each other?” Mum asked.

“Sometimes,” I answered.

We continued to talk about work, and I filled them in on running for partner. Once we arrived at my house, my dad and I grabbed the bags from the boot while Carrie rushed out to hug my mum.

“You look the same as you did nine years ago,” Mum stated.

“I can’t believe it’s been nine years since I’ve seen you guys.”

I went into the house with dad in tow. Peyton walked with the girls.

“If Booker would bring you to Europe with him, then it wouldn’t have been so long,” Mum bitched.

“If Carrie would pay her way, I would have,” I shot back as I was down the hall near the guest bedroom.

“I’m sorry, Helen,” Carrie said. “As you can imagine, work is busy early in your career. I mean, Booker works late hours just to make partner. I didn’t realize how fast time has passed. I’ll come to Leeds next year to visit.”

I didn’t hear Mum’s reply as I passed Carrie’s bedroom. Taylor was sitting on Carrie’s bed, biting her nails. She was nervous. Carrie had never hidden her sexuality, but like Peyton, Taylor was Carrie’s first serious girlfriend, and in a way, Taylor was meeting Carrie’s parents.

“You did good, son,” Dad said as he set his bag on the floor near the bed of the guest room.

“About what?”

“Peyton. She’s stunning.”

I smiled. “Thank you. She’s quite lovely.”

“Wedding bells in your future?” he asked, clapping me on the shoulder.

I rubbed the back of my neck. Even if I wanted to marry Peyton, there was still the issue of my marriage to Carrie. “We’ve only been dating a few months,” I clarified.

“The night after my first date with your mother, I knew I wanted to marry her. I couldn’t get her out of my head.”

I smiled, knowing exactly what he meant. “Then maybe there are wedding bells in my future.”

He nodded with a smile. “It’s about time. Now, show me to your bar.”

I chuckled, and he followed me down the hall. “Who’s the woman in Carrie’s room?” Dad whispered.

“I’m sure you’ll meet her in a minute.”

“Okay, dinner should be here in thirty minutes. Before we eat, I have someone for you to meet.” Carrie left the kitchen to get Taylor.

My mum turned to me and silently questioned what the bloody hell Carrie was talking about.

I shook my head. “I met her over dinner too.”

“Who?” Mum asked just as Carrie and Taylor stepped into the room.

“Helen. Piers, this is my girlfriend, Taylor.”

I went to Peyton, wrapped my arm around her shoulders and pulled her to me, kissing the top of her head before I asked, “Are you doing okay?”