which she quickly covers up. Done teasing, I switch it off, waiting until dinner to really use it.
I stroll into the living room, where I moved the sofas to the side and placed the spare table, and greet the guests—my aunt and uncle. They make small talk as everyone turns up, including my dad.
“Dad, you remember Lexi?” I offer after we hug.
He turns to her as she holds out her hand, and he grabs her in a bear hug, making me grin. He’s a big softie. He used to be a rugby player back when I was a kid, so he’s huge. It’s probably where I get it from. “Nice to see you again, girl!”
“Dinner won’t be long. Lexi has been helping me cook all day,” I share, as she stands near me at a respectable distance.
“Oh damn, I hope it’s better than his cooking,” my dad booms, making everyone laugh, including Lexi and me.
The table is loud with laughter as everyone talks and has a good time. My dad tells Lexi stories from when I was a kid, and my stepmother is talking to my aunt. I’ve held off on using the vibrator until now, keeping her on her toes. We’ve just finished the main course, so I grab my phone and turn it on low.
She shifts, flickering her eyes to me for a moment before she turns back to my dad, who’s speaking. Her cheeks flush. With a smirk, I turn it up high and then back to low until she’s wiggling so hard, I can tell she’s getting close again, so I switch it off.
She throws me a glare as she calms down and goes back to listening to my dad.
Watching her laugh with my father, I lean back with a knowing smile. I’m going to marry this woman. I’m going to make her mine forever and start a family with her. She’s going to be my future.
“Time for dessert,” I announce. “Lexi, will you help me clean up?”
“Don’t be stupid, boy, I’ll help. Lexi, you sit there,” Dad offers as he stands. I grab the pots, and he collects the rest as we head into the kitchen, Lexi’s laugh following us. It makes me smile as I place the dishes in the sink. My dad does the same and leans against the counter, watching me.
“What?” I ask, my smile fading.
He stares at me with an eyebrow arched and a smirk. “So how long have you been sleeping with her?”
I groan. “Is it that obvious?”
He laughs. “Yes, you watch her all the time and constantly smile. Hell, I don’t remember the last time you smiled, kid.” He claps me on the shoulder. “She watches you too, it’s cute.”
I eye him with my hands propped on the sink. “And you’re okay with it?”
“She’s not still dating Justin, is she?”
I shake my head, and he shrugs. “He’s a tosser anyway, so no, I don’t care. Or did you forget I married a woman twenty years younger?”
I guess I did. It seems us Phillipses have a pattern. I turn and look into the dining room, not that I can see them. “She doesn’t want to tell anyone yet, it’s going to be hard.”
“It will be.” He nods, standing next to me. “A lot of my friends liked it at first when they thought it was just sex, but when they realised I was serious, they discouraged me. I lost a lot of them, but I can tell you I don’t miss any of them. And anyone who doesn’t understand can fuck off. Love doesn’t have an age limit, son. As long as you’re both happy and consenting, does it matter? You only get one life on this world, Tyler, don’t waste it on worrying what others will think or do. Just spend it being happy, and if she makes you happy like I’ve seen today, then do it.”
I stare at him for a moment. “When did you get so smart?”
He grins. “Always have been, you just never wanted to listen. I’ve never seen you like this, Tyler. Don’t throw it away for anything. Make it work, and I promise it will be worth it.” With that parting wisdom, he exits the kitchen, leaving me to mull over his words.
Well, I got my dad’s seal of approval, and honestly, it makes me feel so much better. I don’t care what others think, but I know she was worried, maybe because she thinks it will be a lot of drama if this