Wedding Date (Dating #6) - Monica Murphy Page 0,30

dock. There are ducks floating along the surface of the water, and it all looks so peaceful and serene, I can actually feel my entire body relaxing.

I hadn’t realized I was so tense in the first place.

“My parents don’t ever want to leave. They love it out here,” Theo explains.

“I would too if I were them,” I say, my gaze locking on the two beautiful horses grazing in a field. “You have horses?”

“My sister used to ride when she was a little girl, but after a while, she got tired of it. Mom never tired of it, though. I think she got those horses more for herself.” The fondness in his voice is obvious. Theo loves his mother, which is endearing. He always speaks highly of her, and truly, that is the sweetest thing alive. I’ve not had many long-term relationships, but every single guy I’ve dated had mom issues. Which makes sense, because I have mom issues too.

Theo loves his family. He’s close with all of them. They take care of each other, and that is such a foreign concept to me, I’m not sure how I’m going to feel when I meet them. Are they all going to be sugary sweet? Extremely polite? I want them to like me, but I don’t want them to try too hard. Cloying, over-the-top behavior is the worst.

“Stop worrying,” Theo murmurs, reaching out to settle one of those large, surprisingly talented hands on my knee and giving it a gentle squeeze. I’m wearing a dress today, and his hand on my bare leg sears me straight through. “They’re going to love you.”

He releases his hold on me and I immediately miss it. I send him a quick glance, but he’s concentrating on the road ahead, allowing me to look my fill. He didn’t shave today, so the stubble lining his firm jaw gives him a rakish air. I devoured historical romances in my very early twenties, when I was looking for pure fantasy material. The emotionless, uptight duke with the proper manners and cold heart who’s secretly a freak in the sheets? I loved that.

Also figured it was absolute bullshit.

But that description aptly applies to Theo. Looking at him, he’s rather unassuming. Regular guy who works hard. Appears to come from a wealthy family. Very responsible. Attractive, but not outrageously so.

Though he’s been stirring something inside me a little more than usual, I must admit. And the sex thing…that was really surprising. We were positively combustible.

“Are you worried?” he asks after I haven’t said anything for too long.

“Kind of. I don’t meet parents very often,” I admit.

“I know. You’ve mentioned that before.” He glances over at me, only to find I’m already watching him. His expression softens, and I wonder if I look as nervous as I feel. “My parents are very approachable people.”

“Like you?” He’s the most approachable person I know, besides my group of best friends.

“Like me.” He nods. “I also look a lot like my dad.”

“Then he must be extremely attractive,” I tease, though I’m being serious. “A complete DILF.”

“A DILF?” I’m about to explain when realization dawns. “Ah, shit. I don’t want you thinking about my dad like that.”

I laugh. I can’t help it. “Don’t worry, I’m not into older men.”

“Thank God,” he mutters.

“Though you are a little older than me,” I point out.

He sends me another look, one I can’t decipher. “Not by much.”

“You’re thirty five?”

He rolls his eyes. “Thirty-three.”

“I’m only twenty-seven.”

“Six years isn’t much,” he says.

“But you’re an older man. Something I can always hold over your head.” I’m teasing, and he smiles.

“Being older means I have more experience.”

“I’ll say,” I mutter, and he chuckles. The sound sends a warm sensation stirring in my stomach.

We pull into the circular drive, and Theo cuts the engine. I stare up at the house, grateful it isn’t as intimidating as I thought it might be. Though it’s still gorgeous. It’s a ranch house, with slate rock steps that lead to the window paned double doors.

One of those doors opens and a trim older woman steps outside, her arm raising in a wave as she eagerly starts down the steps toward the car.

I turn to face Theo once again, panic zipping through my veins. “Oh God, she’s coming right for us.”

He laughs. “She’s my mom. She’s happy to see me.”

My mind is racing with all sorts of things to say, but it’s like the words are lodged in my throat. Theo’s gaze lifts, zeroing in on a spot just past

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