Page 92 of Forbidden Kisses

"Okay."

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Riley

"I hope Uncle Finn and Knox win today!" Jeremy exclaimed.

Duncan groaned. "Hey! You know I’m your dad, right? You’re supposed to be on my side.”

“Not todayyyyy,” Jeremy chanted.

"When is everyone arriving?" I asked.

I was on pins and needles. Apparently, all the Sterlings played a water polo match every year. Duncan had asked me to stay, and I'd said yes. I was looking forward to meeting everyone, although I was a bit nervous. We were waiting for them at the pool.

“Soon.”

"Your neighbors don't mind?" I asked Duncan. We were both keeping an eye on Jeremy. He insisted that he wanted to go down the slide a few times before everyone arrived.

"No. Actually, a lot of them come to watch."

I smiled, wiggling my eyebrows. "Let me guess—some of your single neighbors?"

He narrowed his eyes. "I'm trying to remember… I think you're right. Mostly women come."

"I can't imagine why," I teased him before adding, "So, when everyone arrives…"

"They're going to be rowdy and obnoxious, and you'd better not pay attention to whatever my brothers say."

I frowned. "Why not?"

"Because they tend to give me shit at every turn when it comes to you. They can’t wait to meet you."

I sucked in a breath. "They know I’m here?"

He frowned. "Yes. Why do you think I asked you to stay? I wanted to give you a chance to meet the family as well."

Holy shit.I hadn't put two and two together. But honestly, the past few weeks had been busy, and I was scattered. It took a while to settle Paula into my place. I bought her an air mattress that was surprisingly comfortable. I didn't have time to look for another place to live for myself, but I was going to get to it soon. Right now, I was helping Duncan search for my replacement.

"You should have seen them when they got wind that I'd put the lawyers on Paula's case," he said with a twinkle in his eye.

"They know about that?"

"Yes. There aren't any secrets in my family. Not that I tried. I wanted them to know that you’re important to me."

Oh, that made me so blissfully happy. We hadn't talked to Jeremy about any of this yet, but that was quite all right. It was better to wait until I wasn't his nanny anymore.

Just the thought of it made me uneasy. I hated that I had to search for my own replacement.

"I see the party's already started," a loud voice said.

I turned around and saw a stunning guy walking right toward us.

"Riley, nice to meet you. I’m Finn. You know, I was wondering if my brother would be brave enough to ask you here with us today."

I laughed nervously. "Why wouldn't he?"

"Oh, he might be afraid that we’re not going to shine the brightest light on him or something."