You Will Be Mine (Forever and Ever #7)(20)

“Really?” My heart fluttered in happiness. “We have so much fun at the house. You’ll have a great time.”

He stilled. “We? Sorry?”

“My family and I. We spend Christmas day with my aunt and uncle at the mansion in Connecticut. Snow is everywhere and it’s so beautiful.”

His smile fell and so did his eyes. “I’m not doing that…”

“What?” I asked.

“I’m not spending Christmas with your family.”

“Why not?” I demanded.

“A million reasons,” he said in an annoyed voice. “Forget it.”

“My family will love you, Arsen.”

He rolled his eyes. “Sometimes I fear you have a twisted view of reality. Things aren’t what you assume they are.”

I didn’t let him insult me. “I’ve known my family my whole life. I know them pretty damn well. They would welcome you and make you feel comfortable.”

He sighed. “I already told you I don’t want to meet your parents. You can’t make me go.”

“No, I can’t,” I agreed. “But you’re missing out. I understand why you’re scared, but my parents are really cool people. My dad isn’t one of those overprotective parents that grills every boy his daughter brings home. They understand that people are different, and there’s nothing wrong with being different.”

He didn’t seem convinced. “You’ve never brought a man home before. Believe me, they’re going to care.”

I knew I wouldn’t get anywhere with him. But I had to keep trying. “Just trust me, okay?”

He ran his fingers through his hair.

“Please. I promise you’ll love it.”

“You can’t keep promises like that.”

“Yes, I can.” I grabbed both of his hands and held them within my own.

He pulled away. “I’m not going. End of story.”

I sighed, feeling defeated. “Then I’m not going either.”

He cocked an eyebrow. “What?”

“I’m spending Christmas with you. If you don’t go, I don’t go.”

“Don’t be stupid,” he hissed. “Be with your family. That’s where you belong.”

“You are my family.” I stared him down, silently telling him I wasn’t going anywhere. “And I belong with you.”

He met my gaze with indecision. “Silke, you should—”

“Either come with me or I’m staying here.”

“You don’t have to spend Christmas with me just because you feel bad for me…”

“I want to spend it with you because I want to be with you. It’s not out of pity.”

He focused his gaze on the TV even though he wasn’t really watching it.

“What’s it going to be?” I asked.

He closed his eyes for a moment and sighed. “I refuse to keep you from your family.”

I smiled. “So you’ll come with me?”

“I guess…” Apprehension was in his eyes.

“You’ll love it.” I clapped excitedly. “I promise.”

“I’ll take off the moment they give me shit.”

“They won’t,” I said firmly.

“What am I supposed to say to them? What do I do for a living? Should I lie about my Harley?”

I cupped his face and stared at him. “Tell them the truth.”

“Then they’ll hate me.”

“No, they won’t.”

He sighed. “Fine. I’m trusting you.”

“It’ll be a wonderful Christmas. Take my word for it.”

He still didn’t seem convinced but he didn’t mention it again.

***

“Are you sure this is okay?” Arsen asked. He was wearing jeans, a t-shirt, and his leather jacket. “Should I wear something nicer? Like slacks or something?”

I pointed at myself. “I’m wearing jeans and a t-shirt.”

“But you aren’t trying to make a good impression.”

“Just be yourself, Arsen. I said that a million times.” We were standing by my car at the sidewalk. The building to my parents’ apartment was just a few feet away. He was struggling with the final steps, his fear getting to him.

“I’ve never done this before…”

“There’s a first time for everything, right?” I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed my head to his.

He took a deep breath and kept his eyes closed.

“I understand why you’re nervous. But I’m telling you, there’s no reason to be scared.”

“I’m not scared,” he said firmly. “I’m not scared of anything. But I just have a feeling this isn’t going to go well.”

“It will,” I said firmly.

“You told them I was coming, right?”

“Yes. I told them days ago.”

He rubbed one temple and sighed. “What did they say?”

“They are excited to meet you.”

“But what did you tell them I was to you? A friend? A boyfriend?”

“The truth.”

“Maybe I should just go…”