"Dad, we just got here," Sebastian claims, glancing at me.

"It's okay. I'll be fine," I assure him.

"You sure?" he asks, voice full of concern, which surprises me.

I didn't expect Sebastian to consider if I was comfortable enough with his family to be left alone with them. It makes me wonder if I judged him too early out of the gate. "Yes. I'm sure," I insist. Then I take a step toward the house.

Sebastian grabs my hand and pulls me back into him.

"Whoa!" I utter.

His lips twitch. "Aren't you forgetting something?"

"What?" I ask.

He tugs me closer and gives me a semi-chaste kiss, making me want more. But he pulls back. "That."

I can't help but smile. I murmur, "Oh. Thanks."

"Georgia gets upset if I don't kiss her before we part. Don't you?" he states.

Embarrassment surges through me. This is his family and a bunch of strangers, and he's basically insinuating I have to kiss him every time we part?

He smirks. "It's okay. My family won't judge you for wanting my lips on yours all the time."

Oh, I see what he has up his sleeve.

I laugh and tilt my head, accusing, "Don't you mean you don't like parting ways without kissing me?"

"Oh, such lovebirds," his mom coos, tearing us out of our locked gazes.

He pats my ass, releases me, and declares, "I won't be gone long."

And as bad as it is, everything about his statement makes me happy.

Ten

SEBASTIAN

"We have a lot to plan," Mom chirps. She puts her arm around Georgia's shoulder. "Let's go inside, and we can discuss everything you've ever dreamed about for your wedding."

Panic washes over Georgia's face, but she quickly reels it in. She nods. "Sounds good." She smiles bigger at me. "I'll make sure I run all the options by you."

Oh, hell no.

I smile back. "Remember we talked about this? Whatever you want, I'll make happen, Sunshine."

She steps closer, batting her lashes. She lowers her voice, asking, "Don't you remember our conversation last night?"

"Last night?" I question.

She widens her eyes into that innocent expression I'm dying to see under my naked body. She answers, "Yes. When I told you how important it was to me that you engage in the process of planning for our big day."

"Engage in the—" I clench my jaw.

So she's going to throw the "engage with my family" clause of our contract in my face?

She trails her hand down my arm, and it's kind of hard to stay mad at her. A rush of adrenaline shoots down my spine as she coos, "You promised me you'd take part. Remember?"

"Jeez, don't be such an idiot, Sebastian. No bride wants to plan their wedding without their soon-to-be husband's input," my always-perfect-at-everything sister states.

I glance at her. "Stay out of my business, Evelyn."