Leaning in, I drop a kiss on the tip of her nose. “I think you like me, Amelia Lee.”

“I thought we already established that fact, Isaac Jones,” she teases.

I settle in at the small dining table, running my fingers along the vivid red cloth napkin folded neatly beside the white plate, admiring the deep green placemat beneath it. “You’ve even set a festive table.”

“My mother gave me those,” she says, indicating the napkins. Or maybe the plates, I’m not sure. “Speaking of my mother…”

Amelia doesn’t finish her sentence as she moves about the kitchen, stirring a pot. Turning off the oven before she opens the door and brings out a tray covered with what looks like—swear to God—homemade dinner rolls.

My stomach growls. Noisily.

“Speaking of your mother what?” I ask when she still hasn’t said anything.

She glances up from whatever task she’s doing, her gaze meeting mine. “Would you like to come to my family’s house for Christmas tomorrow?”

My heart literally feels like it just expanded in my chest. This is a big move, and I’m surprised Amelia’s making it. Surprised and…

Pleased.

“Well?” she asks when I don’t respond fast enough for her.

A chuckle leaves me. “No shit? You really want me there?”

Amelia laughs, and it’s the most joyous sound. “Yes, I really want you there. Though I understand if you can’t make it, being that it’s Christmas and my invitation is so last minute. I’m sure you’d rather spend the day with your family.”

“My parents always open gifts in the morning. Then we have breakfast. By the afternoon, not much is happening. I usually nap on the couch,” I admit.

Her smile is small and damn it, I wish she was sitting right next to me so I could touch her. But she’s still in the kitchen, watching me with a hint of wariness in her gaze. Like she’s afraid I’m going to turn her down. “You should come over in the afternoon then. You could meet all of my family.”

“All of them?” I lift my brows.

Nodding, she wipes her hands on a towel before making her way over to me, her steps deliberately slow, as if she’s drawing the moment out. She’s not near close enough for my liking yet. “My parents and my grandparents will be there. My brother and his girlfriend. My aunts…”

Her voice drifts again and she rolls her eyes.

“What about your aunts?” I ask, curiosity filling me.

“They’re bossy and nosy and they’re going to ask you all sorts of questions. Uncomfortable ones too,” she says, not holding back. “They love to gossip and they’ll ask what your intentions are in regards to me. My father will probably barely speak to you, and my brother will treat you like a criminal.”

Well. That’s a lot to unpack.

She exhales loudly, stopping at the edge of the table, too far away for me to touch, damn it. “I don’t want any secrets between us, Isaac. My family is very traditional. They have certain—expectations that I haven’t met yet. Meeting them will most likely be a trial by fire for you. I understand if you’re not up to it yet. It’s still really early days for us.”