Didn't Expect You (Against All Odds #2) - Claudia Burgoa Page 0,79

sexy smile my way and making my knees wobble.

He’s so handsome I want to cry. I should tell him that my room, my rules, and he should be wearing a shirt because with that body, that face, and that voice, it is super difficult not to jump him.

He pushes himself out of the bed and gives me a hug. “I’m glad you’re ready. Ford just texted me. Your family should be here in about twenty minutes.”

I frown and stare at him. “What family?”

Taking this opportunity, I step away from his now familiar too-comfortable-hard-to-resist embrace.

If I’m not careful, one of these days I’m going to kiss him accidentally. One kiss will lead to another and…I can’t be responsible for not jumping on top of him and getting my way. Which is a big no in the rule book of temporary roommates.

He arches an eyebrow. “Seriously, you forgot about them already. This is why you’re never leaving my side. What if you forget I exist a day after you leave me?”

“No, but…” I blink a couple of times trying to remember if I discussed a visit or anything with my parents. Mom and Dad kept saying they’d come as soon as they had free time.

Mom would’ve told me if she was planning to visit, wouldn’t she?

“Is it just Ford and Persy?” I ask.

A part of me hopes that it is just them. Then there’s a bigger part of me who wants to see her parents. We have daily calls via FaceTime, but it’s not the same as having them in the same room.

“Let me get ready. I’ll have Demetri walk Brock so I can make you breakfast. Today is mango and avocado smoothie day.”

“You’re making this stay better than any five-star hotel. I might just move in with you forever,” I joke.

He smiles at me, his eyes stare in a way that makes my heart skip several beats, and he says, “We’re happy to have you with us for as long as you want to—always is a good choice by the way.”

“You say that now, but wait until the wailing child is born,” I warn him. “You’ll be kicking us out of the house before we’re out of the hospital.”

He smiles and leans closer to me, kissing my cheek. His lips brush the corner of my mouth so lightly I shiver. Without a word, he walks out of the room and leaves me confused as fuck.

Just as he promised, twenty minutes later, my family is parading through the door.

“She’s alive,” Eros says, walking to me and giving me a hug. “Let’s go home. There’s no need to live in some stranger’s palace. Unless…he invites me to live with him too.”

“You’re such a big concerned brother,” I joke.

“Why are you here again? Because I’ve been hearing a lot of versions from everyone, even Ford.”

“What is his version?” I ask curiously.

“Grunt, grunt, grunt…she’s safe,” he answers and Persy slaps his arm.

“Ouch, I’m kidding. He only grunted once,” he corrects. Persy sneers and I laugh at them. “Persephone’s version is better. She recorded a podcast but it hasn’t aired yet.”

“Did he drink coffee?” I ask, because he’s acting weird.

“So, what’s your version, Andromeda?” he asks, rolling his eyes. “Why are you here?”

“I actually have a real job,” I clarify and tell him all about Aldridge Enterprises, Merkel, and the firm I’m opening with Pierce. “Nate’s kind enough to let me stay at his penthouse free of charge.”

He turns around and glares at Nate. “Dude, I’m watching you.”

“Just keeping an eye on her,” Nate says innocently.

Mom, who is standing next to Nate and Dad, waltzes over to me and hands me a present. “Something for my grandchild.”

“She’s been knitting all month,” Dad warns me.

I open the hemp bag and take out a beautiful white, teal, and pink blanket. “This is gorgeous, Mom. Thank you.”

“How have you been, Nyxie?” she asks, hugging me. I hug her back, and that’s exactly when I start crying.

I’m not sure if it’s the term of endearment, the fact that I cry about everything, or just because I miss her and I’m not going back home just yet.

Dad joins the hug. Then it’s Persy and Eros. That’s when Mom says, “I wish Callie was here.”

“Fuck, don’t speak to Nyx. Apparently she’s crying over anything,” Eros complains.

When the embrace is over, Nate walks to me and takes me in his arms. “You okay?”

I nod, grabbing the handkerchief he carries around for me.

“So, what has everyone been up to?” I ask, hoping that the