“Morning!” I glance around and ask, “Where’s Sinclair?” while taking my seat at the table. One thing my mom insists on while on the Island is that we all eat together at least three times a week. So today is one of those three. It’s just a pity that I’m not as enthusiastic for it as I usually am.

“He left early this morning,” Mom says, and then asks, “Where’s Michael?” with a raised brow.

I catch Carrie smirking out of the corner of my eye, but I’m not even going to take notice of her today.

“He went back to his place to call his sister and find out when they want to leave.” I shrug. “They’ve practically just arrived so I’m guessing they may want to stay a few more days before doing the long flight back to the States. Elias wasn’t too keen on that.”

“Who’s Elias?” Carrie interrupts.

I glance in her direction. “He’s Sirena and Garrett’s baby boy.”

“Garrett is a fine man,” Dad adds, joining us. “I’ve always thought highly of him, and for taking on another man’s child, that takes a special kind of guy.”

I frown. “What do you mean?”

Dad holds my gaze and sighs. “It’s no secret, but Sirena was married to an asshole who had no interest in a child. While pregnant, she met Garrett and he’s now the legal father of their little boy. It all ended well.”

“I didn’t know that.” I bite a piece of toast and while I’m chewing I remember the love that shines in Garrett’s eyes for his wife and son. “He loves them both.”

“Yes, he does.” Dad glances around before his gaze meets mine. He sighs. “Okay, tell me before I eat.”

“Tell you what?” I smile.

He rolls his eyes, which makes me laugh. “I’m going back to the States with Michael.”

“Tsk, really,” Carrie hisses. “You haven’t known him for five minutes.”

“You’re jealous that your plan backfired, so stop already.” To my dad, I add, “I want to be with him, Dad, and he wants me to meet his family.”

Dad smiles. “Your mother and I have met Michael and Lily on a few occasions. Years ago now. A beautiful couple.”

I smile and reach out, taking his hand. “Just as beautiful as you and mom.”

He grins and I laugh when I spot a blush on his cheeks. “Oh do tell, Daddy,” I tease.

Mom swats my hand. “Leave your father alone.” When she has my attention she says, “The things I could tell you…”

Dad chokes while Mom looks on with amusement.

“If you weren’t my parents then I might be curious and ask, but parents don’t have sex, so there’s nothing really to tell me.” I smirk, and keeping my head down, I eat my eggs, toast, and fruit.

“That’s what you think,” Mom mutters, and I really wish I hadn’t said anything.

“Ugh!” Carrie moans. “I can’t sit here and listen to this.”

“You’ll sit at my table until I say otherwise,” Dad states. “We have some accounts to look at, which we will do once I’ve eaten.”

Carrie turns white and takes a few minutes to recover before she looks at me. A twinge of regret hits me, especially when I realize she’s scared.

I frown and tip my head to the side, but she quickly glances at the food in front of her. She doesn’t eat and just plays with it. It’s so unlike my cocky, aggressive sister. I’m not the only one to notice either as I glance at my parents. Mom bites her lip and Dad frowns at Carrie’s bent head before his concentration returns to his food.

It doesn’t take long before I’ve finished eating, so kissing my parents on the cheek, and with a hesitant smile for Carrie, I run up to my room and throw myself on the bed.

I’m feeling excited, terrified, and everything else, but the butterflies in my stomach are the good kind.

Reaching for my cell, I jump a mile, and clench a hand to my chest. “You scared me.”

“You’re so damn beautiful that I don’t know how I got so lucky.” Michael leans against the doorjamb to the bathroom. I had no clue he was even in my room.

“How long have you been there?”

“I came straight back, but wanted to avoid your father after having spent the night in his daughters bedroom doing naughty things with her.”

I grin and rolling from the bed, I throw myself into his arms. “Are you really going to take me with you?”

“Yes. You’ve lost all chance of escape.”

“I don’t want to escape.”

“Good, because we leave tomorrow.” He smiles and caresses my face. “Garrett is having the plane refueled and all the checks done first thing and the control tower has given us eleven-twenty-three as our departure time.”

“I’m excited.”

“I may have to do some work during the flight, and I am going to be busy at the office, especially as Alex has asked me to cover for him while he takes two days.” He frowns. “I hope you won’t regret coming home with me.”

“Michael, I want to be with you even if that means you’re going to be distracted with your work. I honestly don’t expect you to drop everything for me. I have a job outside of New York, but I can work remotely. I have my laptop with me so I’ll manage while you work.” I reach up and kiss his lips. “I promise.” Taking his hand, I add, “I need help,” as I pull him into my closet.

He groans, but his eyes light up when I shut us inside and turn the light off.