Page 127 of By Invitation Only

“I don’t think it’s that simple.”

“I’ll talk to him again. I’ll go over there right now.Wecould go over there right now,” I suggested.

“You want to do this. Want to risk your career if the bar investigates us?”

“You don’t?” I asked, fearing his answer.

“Of course I do. I’ve wanted to be with you for five years. If we have to start our own firm, then I’ll do that.”

I smiled again. “And I never knew I wanted you, but now that I have you, my heart doesn’t want to let you go.”

“Then let’s go figure out how to fix this mess.”

We stood, and I wrapped my arms around his waist, leaning my head on his chest. “I’m so proud of you for making partner, though.”

He kissed the top of my head. “Hopefully we can celebrate tonight.”

“We’ll definitely celebrate.” I winked up at him.

After I had called my dad to make sure he was home, Booker drove us to my parents’ house. I hadn’t brought a guy home since my senior prom. And that wasn’t even me bringing a guy home. Jonathan was just the kid who asked me to be his date, and because I wanted to go to prom, I said yes. After high school, I went to college and then law school. I didn’t have time for boys. Sure I dated, but nothing was serious enough to warrant bringing someone home to meet my parents.

Until now.

“Nervous?” I asked as we pulled up to the two-story house.

“Should I be?”

I shrugged. “You’re the first guy I’ve dated who will have met them.”

“Really?” Booker grinned.

“No one was worthy enough.”

He leaned across the center console. “I’m honored, gorgeous.” Then he kissed me. He kissed me in front of my parents’ house with them home and probably my dad watching from the front bay window. It was definitely something I’d wanted to do since high school but never got the chance.

We walked up the front walk and straight into the house. Dad was sitting in his favorite recliner, and when he saw us, he stood.

“Judge Winters,” Booker greeted, sticking out his hand.

“That ship has sailed, son. Levi is perfectly fine, Booker.” My two guys shook hands. “You two want to go in the kitchen? Your mother can make us some coffee or tea.”

“Where is she?” I asked as we started walking toward the kitchen.

“Upstairs primping or something.”

I rolled my eyes. I was positive my mother had been waiting for this day since I was eighteen. The guys sat at the breakfast table that had a view of the backyard while I started making coffee and tea. No telling how long Mother would be.

“Thank you for talking with us,” Booker said.

“I’d do anything for my daughter,” Dad replied, and I smiled.

“I would too. That’s why we need a solution.”

I turned my head and smiled warmly at Booker.

“What’s going on?” Dad inquired. When I called to see if he was home, I didn’t give him any details. I’d only told him that we needed to talk to him.

“A bloke at my firm says he reported us to the bar for dating,” Booker responded. “And we don’t know what to do.”