The territorial statement satisfied something feral inside her while she kept telling herself neither one of them should be jealous. They weren’t in some kind of committed relationship. Yeah, he was technically her husband, but not for long.
She kept reminding herself that Julian Sinclair was her temporary husband as they stepped out of the shower and got dried off. But for all of her self-talk, it didn’t help at all as she snuggled up against him in bed, more content and happy than she’d ever been in her entire life.
CHAPTER 18
“You look happy, honey. I think your trip was good for you,” Cindy Moore told her daughter as Kristin held out her hand to show her mother her ring.
Strangely, she was happy. Their entire time in Hawaii had been like a surreal dream, and Julian hadn’t changed in the few days they’d been back in Amesport. He was still lusting after her, still spoiling her to death. “I am,” she admitted reluctantly.
Her mother examined her diamond, stroking a thin finger over the center stone. “Expensive. But he has good taste. It’s beautiful, honey.”
“Thanks. He had it custom made by Mia Hamilton.”
Her mom nodded. “Then it’s definitely expensive. But you deserve it.”
Kristin put her arm around her mom as she sat down next to her on the couch. “How are things going? How’s the bar?”
“Are you worried it can’t run without you?” her father teased from his chair across from them.
Julian was at his house, and Kristin had stopped by to see her parents after work. It felt strange to be heading out of town instead of to the bar. “No, Dad. I’m honestly not worried the bar won’t be just fine. I think I was getting tired.”
Just how burnt out she had actually been was distinctly noticeable now that she’d had some time away from work and an opportunity to relax. Before, she didn’t know what it was like to feel normal because she never really had.
It felt . . . pretty damn good.
“I know you were tired, sweetie,” her dad answered as he shook his head. “You never should have had to work so hard.”
“You’re my family,” Kristin protested, regretting the fact that she’d told him how she felt. Her father had to be exhausted, too. He loved her mom, and Kristin knew that if he could have handled everything himself in the last few decades, he would have done it.
Her mom put a hand on her arm to stop her from speaking. “Don’t ever think we’ve never felt guilty about how much you missed. I know you never felt comfortable asking your friends to come around, or going out without worrying about me. And you’ve worked yourself half to death between your own job and Shamrock’s. But honey, it’s time for you to live your own life now. Your dad and I are just fine.”
Thanks to Julian.
Kristin was starting to resent her temporary husband’s involvement in her dad’s livelihood less and less. Shamrock’s wouldn’t be supporting her parents as well as it was right now if he hadn’t taken over and changed everything.
Partnering with Liam had been even more insightful. With Liam checking in frequently, the pub would never go downhill again.
Dale Moore scratched his head. “I wondered why that boy wanted to be involved with a little place like Shamrock’s. I guess now I know. He had ulterior motives. He wanted to marry my daughter. Not that I think that’s a bad thing, mind you. He’s a good man. Liam, too. I couldn’t ask for better partners.” He grinned at his daughter.
Kristin felt her stomach drop. Her parents were both so happy right now. How would they feel when they found out she and Julian weren’t going to stay married? “You like him?” she asked quietly, wondering how Julian would feel about being called a boy.
“We love him,” her mother said emphatically. “Anybody smart enough to marry my daughter and treat her like the wonderful woman she’s become is on my Christmas list.”
“We’re happy for you, Krissy,” her dad added sincerely.
She swallowed hard as she heard her father use the affectionate childhood name for her. He hadn’t done that in a long time. “Thanks, Dad,” she managed to answer.
“Are you happy with the plans we made for your reception?” Her mom sounded excited and happy.
The last thing Kristin had expected was for her parents to plan a party so soon. The two of them had been busy while she’d been in Hawaii. Since Julian had already agreed, she had no choice but to answer, “Yeah. It’s great.”
“Since it’s off-season, we didn’t have a big problem getting the Youth Center booked after the holidays. I think everybody will come. Who would want to miss it?”
It was almost Christmas, which meant the party would happen in only a few weeks. Apparently, her mother had brought all of the Sinclairs over to her parents’ home to discuss the celebration. Now, all of the Sinclairs were involved. When one got a group of Sinclairs together, things happened quickly.