“I’ll make sure I get food delivered,” Justin says, taking out his phone. When the elevator doors open, we all get in.

Matthew and Justin are talking about what to order, and Cooper is talking to Dylan, and I’m trying to become as invisible as I can. When the elevator doors open, the boys walk out, and Justin slowly slides his fingers in mine. He leans over and whispers, “Relax.” Dylan grabs the keys from Justin and opens the door for everyone.

“Are they almost here?” Dylan asks, and Matthew looks at his phone.

“Actually, they are parking right now,” Matthew says, and I look over at Justin.

“Excuse me,” I say to them and walk toward the bedrooms. I’m even shy to walk into Justin’s room, knowing that his father knows where his room is. I’m in front of the bed when I feel him behind me. His arms going around my waist to stop me from walking.

“Sweetheart,” he says soft and low. I close my eyes while his front presses into my back, and my right hand comes up to hold the arm around my waist. “You have to relax.”

“I don’t know if I can do this,” I say quietly and turn in his arms. “I don’t think I’ve ever been this nervous in my whole life. It’s just too much.”

“It’s going to be great,” he says to me, leaning forward and giving me a soft kiss. “I promise you that it’s going to be amazing, and if at any time you feel even a bit uncomfortable, all you have to do is tell me, and we can take a break.”

“Justin, this is huge,” I say finally. “Your family … it’s your whole world.”

“Sweetheart,” he says again softly and leans down to kiss me, and this time, I get lost in him. His tongue mixes with mine, and I swear my heart speeds up for a whole different reason. He pulls me even closer to him, and right when I turn my head to the other side to deepen the kiss, I hear Dylan.

“They are kissing again!” he yells over his shoulder, and Justin tries not to laugh as I hang my head forward. “Mom, come meet Justin’s mom.” He whispers, “She looks like a princess.”

Justin smiles and kisses my forehead. “They are going to think we came into the room to make out.” I close my eyes.

“You ready?” he asks, and I nod my head. “Let’s do this.”

I follow him out, and the whole place is overflowing with more people than I can count. “Well, well, well,” a girl says. I look at her, and she has the most beautiful blue eyes. “Caught with your hand in the cookie jar,” she jokes, and Justin shakes his head.