Page 22 of Maybe, Probably (Love Me, Maybe #1)

Chapter Thirteen

Xavier

I ’m standing at the door of Harper’s house, waiting for someone to answer.

I hear the echo of a dog barking through the door, and I quickly adjust the cuffs of my dress shirt.

It’s a nervous habit I get when I dress up.

Basically, whenever I have to go have dinner with my family.

The door swings open, and I’m momentarily stunned by the beauty that is Harper.

I’ve seen her dressed down, and casual; her natural beauty easy to be transfixed by. I think about the time we spent out at the farm. She wore no makeup except maybe some mascara on her lashes. She was stunning then.

But shit. Now?

I take in the knee-high boots that work up her calves, showing off black tights that hug her thighs effortlessly.

The maroon sweater dress clings to every luscious curve on her body.

I momentarily stop at her breasts, fixated on the way the V of the dress perfectly sculpts them together.

I continue my journey up to her pouty lips, accented with the perfect shade of mahogany.

I momentarily picture how her lips would feel against my own.

Would they feel as soft as I imagine they would be?

Absolutely Stunning.

I watch her eyes trail down my own body, and slowly make their way back up.

I find myself adjusting my cuffs again, noticing how her eyes are bewitched by the movement.

When her eyes finally meet mine, they widen in surprise, realizing that I’ve been watching her this whole time.

A redness blooms on her cheeks from being caught.

I can’t fight the smirk on my face. “Hey there,” I husk out.

She awkwardly waves her hand by her hip. “Hi,” she says, almost breathlessly before turning to grab her bag. She steps out of her house, closing the door behind her. She begins walking, but I pause and point back at the door.

“Do you need to lock up before we leave?”

“What?” She starts, before shaking her head at the practicality of the question. “Oh, no. Evie is staying behind with Winnie, that way I don’t have to rush back.”

I give her a nod before continuing to my truck.

I open the door for her, and offer my hand to get her up into the seat.

She places her hand in mine before she climbs in and begins buckling herself.

Quickly, I shut her door. Hopping into the driver’s side, I click my seatbelt into place as I begin to pull out of the driveway.

The playlist flows through the cab of the truck as we head toward my parents house. Thanks to shuffle, not a single genre is missed as we drive. When Cruise by Florida Georgia Line begins to play, I catch movement in the corner of my eye as Harper looks at me before turning back toward the window.

“I love this song,” I tell her. “Every time it comes on, it gets stuck in my head for a minimum of a week.”

She startles from my comment at first, like she was stuck in her own thoughts, before she gives a soft chuckle.

“This is a good song.” She begins tapping her hand on her knee to the beat.

I linger on the movement for a minute before directing my head back to the road and focus on getting us there safely.

We drive for another five minutes before I flick my turn signal on, making my way to the gated driveway.

I roll down my window and enter the gate code.

Once we’re through, I chance a glance at Harper to see her reaction to my parents’ property.

I never grew up without, and sometimes I forget how privileged I was, even though I don’t take my parents’ handouts.

I took that privilege and turned it into beneficial action, donating to animal foundations regularly.

Parking my truck, I quickly round the front to meet Parker at her door.

I click the lock on my fob to ensure Harper doesn’t try to let herself out before I get there.

I see Chloe’s car is already here, so they must be inside already.

I wanted to time it this way, making it so that we were the last to arrive in hopes the shock factor would be maximized while also keeping the awkwardness to a minimum.

I help Harper down, and she stands there, staring at the front door.

She begins to wring her hands together, shifting back and forth on her feet.

I place my hand gently on her shoulder, squeezing it softly. “We don’t have to do this if you’re not comfortable. All you have to do is tell me you changed your mind, and I’ll take you right back home.”

She looks at me in disbelief, like she wasn’t expecting me to offer her an out. I don’t know how shitty Deke was when he was with her, but I’m going to guess she was dragged to a couple events she didn’t want to go to, based on that reaction.

“No, I’m fine. I want to do this, I’m just a little nervous.

I’m not good with confrontation, and I honestly try to avoid it.

So the fact that we are literally walking in there to cause one makes me a little dizzy.

” She stops wringing her hands as she looks up at me.

I can see the need for reassurance in her eyes, and I will not deny her comfort.

“Listen to me. If at any moment, you feel uncomfortable? Tell me. I will be sitting beside you. Just grab my hand and squeeze twice, and I’ll fake a vet emergency so we can leave, okay?”

She takes a deep breath and nods.

“Good girl. Now let’s go see the look on Dwight and Chloe’s faces when we walk in, yeah?” I extend out my arm, offering my elbow for her to link with. She snorts softly before taking my arm.

“His name's Dalton,” she says, shaking her head while a soft smile curls at her lips. “You know this.”

“Potato, tomato.” I shrug before I open the doors and we head in.

I lead the way through the house. It’s quiet, and my best guess is that everyone has gathered in the dining room. Perfect. Harper follows as I push the dining room door open, the noise permeating the previous silence.

My mom is in the middle of a discussion with Chloe, both of whom are very consumed in whatever they’re discussing.

I look and see Darrin is at the bar with my dad.

Their backs are toward us, so they don’t see our entrance.

I wait, letting things settle before poking the bears.

Harper's hand on my elbow has started to tighten as the anticipation of them acknowledging our presence rises.

I loudly clear my throat. Heads whip in our direction and I take a moment to take in everyone’s reaction as they realize, not only am I here, but I’m not alone. I only told my mom that I was bringing someone, but I had doubted she kept that to herself.

There are no emotions on my family’s faces.

My father has no visible reaction other than a curious brow raise.

Derek’s brows are furrowed in confusion, then I watch as recognition clicks in his head.

His mouth opens and closes like a fish, but no words come out.

It makes me smirk. I move over to my mother, who is now wide-eyed, and she has her hands softly covering her lips.

There is a slight tip in her lips as she gives me a once over, before moving her focus to Harper.

I can see my mother analyzing her, and I get a bit defensive, slowly moving my body to shield Harper from my mother’s view.

My eyes finally land on my darling sister.

Ms. Do No Wrong. Her face is twisted into a sneer, disgust mixed with disbelief.

“You’re kidding me right?” Chloe breaks the silence sarcastically. “You weren’t joking when you said you were bringing her .”

“Chloe!” Mom chides her. “What in the heavens are you talking about? Your brother finally brings a date to dinner, and this is how you treat her!” My mother stands up, making her way around the table to us.

She has a smile on her face as she tries to peer around me again.

Harper is still at my side holding on to my elbow.

“I’m so sorry about my daughter. It’s the hormones you see, as she’s pregnant with our first grandbaby!

” She claps quickly before offering her hand out to Harper.

Harper releases her hold so she can grasp my mother’s hand.

“I’m Penelope Hawthorne, Xavier’s mother. That’s his father, Theo, over there at the bar. My daughter Chloe is here too, with her fiance Dalton!”

A squeak comes from Harper's mouth as Chloe snaps, “ Mom ! We haven’t told anyone else yet!”

Harper schools her reaction with an impressive speed before she plasters a fake smile on her face. “It’s so nice to meet you, Mrs. Hawthorne. I’m Harper.”

Pulling Harper into my side, I watch my sister slowly boil. I can see the steam coming out of Chloe’s ears and I’m just waiting for the kettle to squeal. Dane still has a flabbergasted look on his face, but at least he shut his mouth.

“Oh please, Call me Penelope, darling!” She states before the sound of a chair scratching the floor breaks the pleasantries. All eyes turn to Chloe who is now standing, with her eyes narrowed in on Harper. I tighten my hold on her as I prepare for the tantrum of the century.

“Oh, please ” She snaps, as one foot stomps on the floor.

Her arms cross over her chest, and she sneers in Harper's direction. “Are you seriously that desperate that you had to bribe my brother to bring you to my family dinner?” Chloe points aggressively at her baby daddy. “He left you. Period . He has moved on to better pastures, with someone who can keep up with what he wants…things that you weren’t giving him. Honestly, I–” I go to take a step toward her to give her a piece of my mind as she continues.

“ Enough !” A deep voice booms through the dining room, all eyes turning to my father who is shaking his head. “Chloe, what is the meaning of this? You don’t speak to guests this way.”