Dylan looked at him pointedly. "If you're having this kind of conversation with her, and you care about what happens to her career, and you still think the two of you are just having a fling, you need to have your head examined."
He chuckled to hide his discomfort. "I just don't know what to think, Dyl."
"What's there to think about?"
He shrugged. "I don't know if I want a long-term relationship."
Dylan nodded. "I used to feel the same way, remember? I guess the question you'd have to ask yourself eventually is if you'd rather go back to your old ways, or lose Kris. Only you can answer that."
"I don't know how she feels about me," he said, feeling like an uncertain teenager. "I mean, we talk and all that, and the sex is amazing. But I think that's just her personality. She's a very frank and open person. What if she doesn't want a long-term relationship?"
"That's why you have to talk about it," Dylan said with a bit of impatience. "Like I said, you have just over a week to do it, if she doesn't get that job at the studio."
Dylan started walking toward the back of the house and Trey followed.
"I wonder what made her change her mind about coming today," Trey mused.
Dylan laughed. "She's here. I was just pulling your leg."
He snickered with relief. He was looking forward to seeing Kris again, even if it hadn't been twenty-four hours since he was last with her.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Kris sat on a comfortable fold-up chair in Linda and Fred's backyard, enjoying a well-earned drink with Sam, Ari and Dylan's sister Faye.
They'd worked hard all day and the result was at the big buffet table for everyone to see. While Sam and Faye masterminded the whole menu and did most of the cooking, she and Ari were their able assistants.
"Hey, girls," a deep voice said and her heart started beating wildly.
"Hey," she answered, giving Trey a wide smile.
Trey walked over to her and leaned down to kiss her on the cheek, then proceeded to do the same to the other girls. Her lips tugged upwards, thrilled that Trey went out of his way to greet her first even though he was already standing next to Faye and Sam.
"Did you girls do all that?" Trey asked in disbelief, his eyes wide as he stared at the food-laden table.
"Yes, we've been slaving since this morning," Faye said with a grin.
"Wow," he said. "It looks better than if you hired professional caterers."
"Well, it's our special gift to my mum," Faye said. "I actually planned to order at least half the food but these girls had been wonderful. I didn't think it would turn out this way. Jasmine was right. Sam should consider this as a career."
"Thank you. I had fun today," Sam sighed with contentment.
*******
As Dylan, Faye, and their twin brothers got ready to bring out Linda's birthday cake, Linda's husband gently tapped the side of his wine glass with a fork to grab everyone's attention.
"Darling, can I ask you to stand here with me, please?" Fred said to his wife. "I know you didn't want Kane and Jasmine to cut short their honeymoon just to be able to make your party, but they wouldn't dream of not being able to greet you."
Fred grabbed the iPad that was sitting on a small table and handed it to Linda. Kane and Jasmine were on a video call from Paris.
Linda was busy chatting with her oldest son and new daughter-in-law when they were interrupted by the guests singing "Happy Birthday", with Dylan carrying a big cake with countless blazing candles, followed by Faye and the twins.
After Linda blew out her candles, Kane was heard asking, "What did you wish for, Mum?"
"I'm not telling you. It might not come true! But I can tell you my other wish."
"Yeah?"
"I'd love to have grandkids one day."
Kane laughed. "With five kids, I'm sure one of us will give you at least one, Mum."
"Well, you and Faye are the married ones, but I'm going to shut up now before I get in trouble. I'm sorry you guys are missing out on the wonderful food we're having tonight. Let me show you the buffet table, so you can see," she told Kane and Jasmine.
"Before you do that, Mum," Dylan interjected, clasping Ari's hand. "We have another surprise for you."
"Oh, what's that?"
"Well, Ari and I woke up early this morning to watch the sunrise," Dylan started.
Snorts and guffaws were heard from Kane and the twins, as well as Trey and Adam.
"You woke up early enough to watch the sunrise?" Kane asked in disbelief.
"Yes," Dylan said with a grin. "Because Ari said she'd love to watch a sunrise with me."
"Awww," all the women said as one.