Always you

Chapter 5

Later that afternoon, as the sun began to dip below the trees and cast long shadows across the driveway, Sasha heard a familiar voice call out from the porch.

"Hey there!" she exclaimed, greeting Marie with a warm hug. Aunt Marie, always brimming with energy and warmth, said, "There you are, dear! I was just coming to remind you all that tonight's the big family dinner with the Camerons." There was a mysterious twinkle in her eye. "I hope you're ready; we're leaving in about an hour. Rafe's family is very excited to meet you, Sasha."

"Dinner with the Camerons?" Daniel said, quirking an eyebrow. "Are you sure they're ready for all of us?"

"Oh, they'll survive," Aunt Marie said, laughing. "Besides, it's not every day our families get to meet and share a meal together. And Sasha, Sean specifically wanted you to come along. He wants you to get to know everyone."

Sasha nodded, smiling. Although she'd spent much of her early childhood here, she realized she'd never actually met the Camerons—aside from Rafe last night, of course. Her curiosity was piqued at the thought of meeting his family, especially with the easy connection she'd felt with Rafe just a night before. The memory of his warm gaze and effortless charm made her feel a flutter in her chest as she headed inside to get ready.

An hour later, dressed in a simple but elegant sundress, Sasha joined the others by the front door, where Aunt Marie and Sean were waiting with Alex and Daniel. They piled into two cars, laughing and chattering as they drove to the Camerons' sprawling estate. By the time they arrived, the sky was painted with hues of orange and pink, and the atmosphere felt both relaxed and filled with anticipation.

The Camerons' home was a grand, traditional estate with a wraparound porch and manicured gardens that stretched out toward the horizon. As they walked up the stone pathway, the front door swung open, and a tall, stately man with kind eyes and a warm smile stepped forward to greet them.

"You must be Sasha," he said, extending his hand. "I'm Ward Cameron. Rafe's told us a bit about you."

"Thank you, Ward, I've heard great things about you as well." Sasha replied, smiling as she shook his hand. She felt instantly at ease, her earlier nerves melting away.

Beside him stood a graceful woman with blonde hair, who introduced herself as Rose, Ward's wife. She enveloped Sasha in a friendly hug. "We're so glad to have you here, Sasha. It's lovely to finally meet you."

Sasha thanked her, feeling genuinely welcomed as she took in the beautiful, well-kept home and the warmth of its owners. She quickly noticed a few familiar faces, as well as some new ones, standing in the entryway. Rafe, looking effortlessly put-together in a casual button-down and jeans, stood with two girls who looked close in age to Sasha. He grinned as they approached.

"There's the guest of honor," Rafe said with a smirk. His eyes met Sasha's, and she felt the same playful spark from the night before.

"Trying to steal the spotlight again, Rafe?" she teased.

"Always," he replied, his voice low enough for her to hear alone, a glint of humor in his eyes. She found herself laughing, feeling immediately at ease.

One of the girls stepped forward, offering a warm smile. "Hey, I'm Sarah," she said. "I've heard so much about you from Alex and Rafe."

Sarah's friendly expression and easygoing nature reminded Sasha of her own self, and she felt an immediate kinship with her. "Hi, Sarah! It's so nice to meet you."

"And I'm Wheezie," piped up a younger girl with an eager expression, her curly hair bouncing around her shoulders as she extended a hand that was almost too serious for a ten-year-old.