Just Sign Here - Cara Dee Page 0,60

his ear, “I’ll need a quick look at your bottom too.”

He shuddered and nodded. “Yes, sir.”

“Milk or sugar, Edward?”

“No, that’s good, thank you.” I shifted in my seat on the couch and took a sip of my coffee. Despite that I craved alone time with Peyton, I was more relaxed now and could enjoy myself. And I had Peyton next to me, with Julia climbing on us like a monkey. Right now, she was wildly curious about the treats on the plate Ms. Scott had prepared. It looked like chocolate cake with an assortment of cookies scattered around it.

“Julia.” I got her attention and nodded at the plastic bags on the floor under the coffee table. “Did you want to give them to Ms. Scott?”

“Oh, it’s Carol, please.” Carol turned toward the hallway. “Anna! Come say hi, at least!” She sent me an apologetic smile. “She’s off to summer camp in a couple days and has packed and repacked her bag all week.”

“Summer camp—sounds exciting.” I folded one leg over the other and draped an arm along the back of the couch. It gave me free access to rub Peyton’s neck. “Is it local?”

“Chinook Islands,” Peyton said with a nod. “You can see them from the marina—Mom, quit it.”

What had I missed?

“What?” Carol was confused too, albeit more defensive. “You’re so cute together. Excuse me for being happy.”

Ah. I kept my smirk to myself and watched Julia instead. She’d collected the two bags and was on her way around the table to reach the chair where Carol sat.

“But you’re staring,” Peyton argued.

“Should I look at the wall instead?” Carol lifted a brow.

I chuckled silently and gave Peyton’s neck a squeeze. “Relax, love,” I said quietly.

Peyton huffed and leaned back a bit more. His hand on my leg was anything but relaxed.

“Dis for you, and dis for Peyton’s sister.” Julia extended the two bags to Carol.

I took the opportunity to press a kiss to Peyton’s temple and murmur for only him to hear. “What’s got you worked up? Things are going well.”

He took a breath and let it out slowly. “You’re right. I don’t know why I’m nervous.”

Julia’s shyness hadn’t disappeared completely, so she darted back to me as soon as Carol started gushing about the presents. She said over and over that we shouldn’t have bought them anything, and I waved it off. What kind of heathen arrived empty-handed when they wanted to impress a partner’s parents?

Impress wasn’t the right term, but I wasn’t above collecting brownie points.

Anna showed up around the time Carol was fawning over her new pashmina scarf that the saleslady insisted worked well in the summer too, especially in a state like Washington.

“Feel how soft it is, hon.” She extended the scarf to Peyton. “Feel it.”

He humored her. “Yeah, it’s soft.” He cleared his throat and addressed Anna next. She’d inherited her mother’s pretty looks, but she was definitely a tomboy. Thank fuck I hadn’t let the saleslady pick a gift set of makeup. “Anna, this is Edward and Julia.”

“Nice to meet you, Anna,” I said with a polite smile. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“I bet we’ve heard more about you.” She twisted her lips into a smirk that she directed at Peyton.

“You can fucking shush,” Peyton told her.

I grinned. This was going to be a good stay.

Anna ignored her brother and sat down on the armrest of Carol’s chair, rather than taking the empty chair on the other short end of the table. “Let me see?” She touched the scarf gingerly, and Carol told her there was a gift bag for her also.

“Oh.” Anna blushed. Just like her brother.

Julia perched herself on my lap, observing the Scotts, and played absently with the hair on the back of my neck.

Anna lifted the lid to her box, and I was relieved to see her surprised but honest smile. “Oh, wow. Thank you. This is so cool.”

“What is it?” Peyton leaned forward a little, and Anna held up the leather-bound journal.

He’d told me once she was an avid writer, which had been the only helpful thing I’d had to offer the saleslady.

“It’s beautiful. You have to bring it to camp, sweetie.” Carol touched the tie around the journal.

“Yeah.” Anna stood up and clutched the journal. “I’m gonna go pack it. Thank you again, Edward.”

“You’re very welcome, dear.” I inclined my head.

Okay, maybe I could actually pull this off.

Julia fell asleep earlier than I thought she would, considering she’d slept on the plane. Then again, it was three