Her face softens. “I know that, but I also know how unconventional my dad’s relationship was along with all my uncles. It’s kinda a Bishop thing, if I’m being honest.”

I grin. “How so?”

“Mila was my nanny before she was my mother.” Maize shrugs. “So Dad has no room to talk.”

“Wow.” I remember Maize telling me about this before, but it slipped my mind.

“And Uncle Alex knocked up his now wife on vacation in Florida, then she showed up here, pregnant. Uncle Evan met his wife at a wedding, had a one-night stand, then found out she was the new doctor at the hospital.”

My eyebrows go sky high. “What about Jackson?”

This question makes her laugh. “He’s the only normal one. I know it’s very hard to believe. Kiera and him were best friends growing up. There was drama, but it wasn’t a random hookup. He chased after her for fifteen years.” She chuckles.

“How do you know all this?”

“One time, Grandma Bishop was wine drunk after a quilt meeting and told me all their dirty secrets.” Maize throws me a wink.

I grin at her. “Still doesn’t mean your dad and uncles won’t kick my ass or fire me.”

She pulls me closer. “As long as you don’t break my heart, I think you’ll be safe.”

“I’d never do anything to hurt you,” I promise her and seal it with a kiss.

“I believe you,” she whispers. “But we should really get going. Don’t want to be late. It’s one of Dad’s major pet peeves.”

I nod. “Okay, okay. I guess I am stalling.”

She interlocks her hand with mine and leads us outside. I jump in the truck with her, and my mind spins on the drive over. Any other time, it would seem far away because the ranch is so large, but we arrive in a blink. We get out, and she stops and turns to me before we walk in.

“A kiss for good luck.” She paints her mouth across mine, and her tongue darts inside. For a moment, I forget where I am, but when she pushes away, I remember.

“Let’s do this,” I say, finding my confidence as she grabs the knob, and we enter. Whatever her mother’s cooking smells amazing, and I realize just how hungry I am. When her parents turn around and make eye contact with me, I immediately lose my appetite.

“Wait, Gavin’s your boyfriend?” John asks, staring me down, and I’m not sure if it’s with approval or rejection.

Maize nods with a smile. Then she takes my hand and leads me to the table, and we sit.

“Oh thank god,” Mila says. “I was worried to death trying to guess who you were bringing tonight. Happy to see you again, Gavin.”