“As long as you’re right here beside me, nothing could ever be wrong.” I pushed a few strands of her honey-blond hair behind her ear. “I just had a stomach cramp earlier. I’m good now.”
She wrapped her arms around my waist and tilted her head back. “As soon as everyone goes home, I think we should head to bed. A little cuddling always helps with just about anything.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” I heard someone call my name, and I sighed. “Until then, I guess we should pay attention to the guests.”
She grinned. “Most of them anyway.”
I kissed the tip of her nose. “I’m going to go get something to drink and talk to Arella for a second.”
“I would join you, but I need to take a bathroom break.” She kissed my chin then released me. “Go talk to the hottie actress girl. I’ll see you in a few.”
I watched her head for our room before forcing myself to move. I didn’t see Arella anywhere and figured she was in the kitchen. Which was where Cannon had disappeared with Smith. Clenching my jaw, I worked my way through the crowd and into the kitchen.
As I entered, I heard Arella laugh and found her leaning against the counter by the fridge with a plate in her hand. Cannon stood in front of her, flirting like always when it came to either of the older two Stevenson sisters. Palmer and Smith were standing at the kitchen island talking, but I saw Palmer shooting Cannon a glare even as she spoke to the drummer.
Even though Palmer wasn’t out, I suspected she was a lesbian and that she was in love with Arella. But I knew my little cousin wasn’t into girls. Whether she wanted to admit it or not, Arella was half in love with my sister’s best friend. Jordan could deny it all he wanted, but Mia and I both knew he was more than a little in love with Arella too.
“Ah, there’s the man of the hour,” Arella said when she spotted me. Contriteness crossed her face. “Sorry if I interrupted something when I got here. Things seemed a little tense. Is Shaw pissed at you?”
“You didn’t interrupt. And thankfully, Shaw isn’t upset.” Whether or not she stayed that way was still to be determined. When I reached Arella, I took hold of her elbow and guided her away from Cannon. I didn’t want him around any of the women I loved, and that included all of my female cousins.
Bending my head, I kissed her cheek then whispered close to her ear so only she could hear me. “Do me a solid. I need to talk to this asshole and don’t want Shaw to get pissed at me. Think you can clear this room and then keep my girl entertained while I deal with her brother?”
Her blue-gray gaze went back to Cannon, who was standing where he’d been when I’d walked in, before nodding. “No problem.” She headed for the door. “Palmer, Smith. Keep me company while I speak to my sister.”
Palmer didn’t even hesitate to follow, but when Smith opened his mouth to argue, I shot him a look to listen to the pretty girl. Snapping his mouth shut, he grabbed his plate and rushed after them.
I waited until the door swung shut behind them before turning back to the guy who’d saved my ass but still had the power to make all my dreams come crashing down around my head.
“Thank you for not saying anything earlier,” I gritted out.
“Dude, you looked like you were about to have a heart attack. I was kind of worried you were going to die then and there.” He laughed and lifted his soda to take a thirsty drink. “I didn’t want Little Em to see her uncle bite the dust. It would scar the poor kid for life.”
I scrubbed my hands through my hair. “I might have if Shaw found out about Dana.” I turned pleading eyes on him. “She can’t know. Things are finally going in the right direction with us.”
His brows pulled together. “So, don’t tell her.”
“Does that mean you won’t tell her either?” On the inside, I was mentally begging, Gods, please don’t tell her. Don’t ruin the happiness I have with Shaw.
He leaned back against the counter, crossing his arms over his chest. His blue eyes, so like his sister’s, assessed me for a few moments, as if he could see that I was clawing