Illicit Affairs

Chapter 38

Ryan's POV

"Babe, are you almost ready? It's about time to leave." I hollered upstairs to Mia, who was getting dressed. Tonight, we were having dinner with Jimmie and his family and Mia was a bit nervous and having trouble deciding what to wear.

Moments later, she came down the stairs looking like an angel on earth in a baby blue dress that was fitted at the top and flared at the waist with matching heels. her golden hair flowed down her back and framed her face like a halo.

"You look beautiful." I told her. An understatement because she quite literally took my breath away.

"Thank you. You look damn good yourself." She eyed me up and down with a smile.

"Still nervous!" I asked her.

She nodded. "I know it's crazy to feel that way because I've been to Jimmie's house with the family more times than I can count, but I guess back then we were unaware that we were family, so there was no pressure. I mean, there's no pressure now, at least that's what Jimmie keeps telling me anyway, but I don't know. I can't explain it. I just feel like they are all going to be looking at me differently now."

"Of course they are going to be looking at you differently, but in a good way. Before, you were a guest, but now you are an actual member of the family. Would it help if I said I was a little nervous too? For a somewhat similar reason. Although I've never been to their house for dinner, I've hung around Jimmie plenty of times as a friend. Now I'm entering his home as his daughter's boyfriend. It's a little intimidating." I admitted.

"Well, if it makes you feel any better, he's already given you his stamp of approval." She laughed. "Jimmie is still your friend, that hasn't changed but I do see where you are coming from because you do have a different relationship with him now. It's all a little weird." She sighed, but then she grinned at me. "We need to remember to watch our language. There will be some young, impressionable ears present."

"Noted. You sound like my sister Emma when I'm around the kids." I chuckled.

"I can't wait to meet your nephews. They are adorable, and it's been ages since I've seen Emma." She said.

"Soon, I promise. The boys are gonna love you." I said, making a mental note to call Emma later and see about getting the family together.

After checking on Sturgill to make sure his food and water bowls were full, I turned on the porch light and locked up the house then got into the truck to make the twenty minute drive to Charlotte. Conversation, as well as traffic, was light and easy, and before we knew it, we were pulling into the driveway of Jimmie's lavish, gated home just outside of Uptown Charlotte. Mia had just texted Jimmie letting him know that we had arrived, and within seconds, the gate opened allowing us to enter.

Jimmie and Chani both greeted us at the door, with Chani immediately enveloping Mia in a warm hug. "You look so pretty, honey." She exclaimed with a welcoming smile. "Ryan. It's so nice to see you. Welcome." She then hugged me as well, and I shook Jimmie's hand."

"Come in, please. Make yourselves at home." Jimmie added, ushering us beyond the foyer and into the living room, which was decorated in vibrant colors and many works of art, as Jimmie and Chani, who owned her own art gallery, were avid art collectors.

Chani had taken our coats and Mia's bag when two young girls about 10 and 13 burst in excitedly, hugging Mia. Genevieve (Evie) was taller than Mia, although that's not saying much. She clearly took after her mother, who had been a top model in New York when she met Jimmie. Lydia was not quite as tall, but seemed to be the more outgoing of the two and when she noticed me, she smiled brightly, displaying a mouth full of metal.