Charity Case - The Complete Series - Piper Rayne Page 0,174

nods.

“Please tell me you aren’t that insecure about where you stand in my life,” Dean says as he flags a cab for us.

My hands slide under his jacket and I nuzzle into his body. “No. I was just playing with the guy. But you better watch it. You’re on the Autobahn with the moving in and now marriage comments.”

“One day.” He winks, not saying anything else as he opens the cab door for me.

I slide in and he joins me telling the cab driver the name of the restaurant.

I settle into the leather seat since we’ll be leaving downtown and heading to the outskirts. I’m crossing fingers my entire family can behave themselves tonight, even if it’s not in their nature.

Crossing my fingers didn’t work.

We drop our coats at the coat check, walk into the private room that’s already disturbing the restaurant with their laughter and loud talking. Half the group is probably already drunk.

The doors open, and I thought we could slide in unnoticed, but Dean can’t slide in anywhere.

You’d think we just came in with ski masks and guns, sounding a warning shot. My Aunt Liz’s jaw is on the floor. Skylar’s eyes are already slits focused on Dean. Zoe’s wrangled Caiden away from the cake with a small smile on her lips. My mom, well, her chest is heaving from how pissed she is that I brought him, and my dad sits there stunned.

“Don’t you people have any manners?” I ask, tightening my grip on Dean’s hand. It’s cold and limp.

Aunt Liz approaches first. “Chelsea.” She kisses me on each cheek, her eyes on Dean the entire time. “Dean.” She holds out her hand. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know.” Her eyes focus back on me.

Guess I should have told them.

“Chelsea thought it would make a good surprise,” Dean rats me out.

Aunt Liz’s displeased eyes land on me, piercing me with guilt.

“I don’t see what the big deal is,” I continue to fight my decision.

“Don’t play that innocent game with me.” Her eyes dip to our clasped hands. “So, you two are together?” She waves her finger between us. “Again?”

“We are,” Dean answers and for some reason, my stomach flips from his declaration. Maybe my family won’t make him run away from me.

“This isn’t about a bet or money or some twisted joke?” she asks.

“No,” I answer.

“You’re not pregnant?”

My stomach lurches. “Please give me some credit.”

She nods.

“A few more things.” She turns her attention to Dean. “What do you do with yourself now?”

“I’m an attorney.”

She cringes and glances at me from the corner of her eyes.

“Tax attorney,” Dean clarifies so she doesn’t think he’s an ambulance chaser and she smiles.

“Drinking?”

“Three years sober.”

“I’m to assume that means no drugs as well?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“And you’re ready to give this one hundred percent?” She crosses her arms over her chest.

“Okay, Aunt Liz,” I plead for her to stop.

Dean’s squeezes my hand, he knows he’s getting somewhere with her.

“Definitely. I’m in it to win it.”

They share a laugh.

“Well then.” She extends her arms out. “Welcome back to the family.” She hugs him to her body and my eyes swell with tears. Why couldn’t my mom have a little bit of Aunt Liz’s DNA?

Once they part, she sets her eyes on me. “I’m still not happy about you surprising everyone by bringing him here. It puts everyone—including Dean—in an awkward situation.” She shoots me those judging eyes only a mother can accomplish, and the feeling of disappointment falls over me.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper.

She nods and then hugs me into her body. “Congratulations. You look very happy.”

“I am.”

Pulling away, she turns to face the room. “Okay everyone, I know this was a huge surprise, but I’ve cleared the air. Dean is back in the picture. He’s an attorney now.”

Grumbles ring out in the room.

“A tax attorney,” she clarifies.

They all sigh like that’s okay then.

“He’s been sober for three years. No drugs and he promises he won’t hurt our girl.”

A few people smile, a few whatevers ring out. I’m not sure why it has to be some big announcement.

She pats my hand. “Good luck.” She walks away, picking up her grandson from Zoe’s arms and telling him how he needs to behave and how that’s Great-Grammie’s cake.

Now that Zoe has her hands free she makes her way over to us. “I should beat the shit out of you out back,” she says to Dean.

“If it makes you feel better, let’s go. Three free hits.”

She shakes her head, a smile already playing on her lips. “I’m not