Doyle had felt jittery all day. There was excitement about returning to Gray's house, but also a nervousness. What if he ignored her, or if Monty and Sofia made things strange? Stupidly, she even picked out a lacey matching set of underwear. The only way Gray would see it was through her semi-sheer blouse. She dressed similarly for her last gig, a fashion photo shoot, but this time, it took her a half an hour to decide what to wear. A dozen outfits covered her bed. She finally sighed and went with an understated professional look. Almost professional with the shear silk.

As she started down the stairs, his voice made her heart race. Her heart hammered in her ears and after a month he didn't disappoint her eyes. She needed a picture of him, so she didn't have to trust her memory during long stretches of not seeing him.

She touched him getting into the car, because she had to. The need was stronger than her desire to use any substance. Only Kasper knew she had cleaned up her act. By default, he had as well. Tate was too into Jimmy, and Baxter assumed the worst.

Their conversation felt rehearsed, but she smiled when he said he listened to podcasts. Once they stepped into the house, Gray looked uncomfortable. Doyle wanted to put her hand on his to reassure him, but Sofia stepped in and teased him. She wanted to yell he's mine, but he wasn't. Even worse, Sofia wasn't a threat.

Sofia's sister and niece relieved the tension in the room. After introductions, Doyle concentrated on setting up her equipment. She brought her own light to enhance her adorable subjects.

Looking around, she took in the large comfortable family area. "Where is Ana?"

Sofia smiled. "She just woke up. Monty is cheering her up. I need to go help dress her. Rosa, check out what's in the oven."

When Sofia went upstairs, Rosa walked over to the kitchen still in the large open room. It left Doyle looking at Gray who stood with his hands in his pocket. She leaned in. "I wish you would kiss me."

He tilted his head at Rosa. Lina was nearby playing with baby toys in the corner. The decor was impeccable, no doubt the result of an interior designer. She imagined Baxter's beautiful decor altered by baby paraphernalia and toys some day.

He asked, "Can I help you?"

She smiled. "I have it. Thanks though."

She felt his eyes watch her every move, and she jumped when Rosa returned. "Gray, did you hear he's making Korean ribs?"

Gray laughed. "How do you know it wasn't Sofia?"

"No, no. You can't fool me. My sister can't cook like that."

Gray laughed. "I'm glad you have accepted my friend."

Doyle's jaw dropped. Accepted him? Wouldn't it be a question of the Whitbys accepting Sofia?

Gray laughed when he saw her face. "Rosa didn't trust Monty."

"He had a reputation. Him and his bodyguard."

Gray put his hands up. "I'm just big. I prefer saving damsels."

"Like Sofia."

Gray frowned. "Like Sofia. Ms. Kane is here to take photographs."

Doyle and Gray's eyes met. She enjoyed looking at him with two good eyes. Rosa was ready to share family secrets with her. How did she know Doyle was trustworthy? Gray probably didn't understand the extent Doyle was loyal to him.

Rock & Roll Magazine had been trying to persuade her to tell her story, but she had resisted. It was impossible to share without exposing Gray. In addition, her family wanted the ordeal kept private. She had considered an exposé on what it was like to be on tour with the band. The article she had taken the pictures for was in the next edition. She would wait to see the crux of the article. Was it a lie or did it contain the truth about the band? She didn't want to think about those guys.

Gray looked at her. She nodded, and he relaxed and then she smiled. They communicated like a married couple. How bizarre. He shrugged, again as if he read her mind.

Monty arrived carrying Ana who looked happy to see a roomful of people smiling at her. Sofia followed behind and her beauty struck Doyle. Her camera lens could do amazing things with her high cheekbones.

"Sofia, you could model."

"Hmph." Rosa let her opinion out as she took Ana from her father.

"No. My hips are too big."

Monty put his hands on his wife's hips. "I think they're perfect."

She laughed. "Perfect for bearing your child."

Rosa nodded. "Only my sister delivers a baby and is perfectly fine the next day. You looked like you never had this beautiful bebé."

Sofia brushed her sister off. "Doyle doesn't want to hear about this."

She smiled. "I'm set up. Perhaps I should start with just Ana."

She had Ana sit and pose in different ways. Behind her the adults tried to get her to smile for each click. Doyle smiled when it became clear Gray had the best luck at getting her to laugh. He sat on the floor next to Doyle, and his shoulder brushed her legs.

When they placed Lina beside Ana, the older child smiled without encouragement. Clearly, she was used to being a ham for the camera.

As Doyle concentrated on her work, she hoped to impress Gray. During their time together, he thought she was someone different. Aside from being from a prominent family, she had a job, a talent. Showing off felt like she was proving herself to him.

After the two girls, she took a few with Monty, Sofia and Ana. When she looked down at Gray, his smile said it all. He loved the beautiful family.

When Sofia stood, she said, "You'll stay for dinner."

Doyle looked around. "I hadn't expected an invitation." Wanting to spend more time with Gray, she said, "Thank you. I'd like that."

Monty handed Ana to Gray. "I have to change, before Rosa takes over my kitchen."

Sofia and Rosa were already busy in the kitchen leaving Doyle and Gray, as she packed up her equipment.

"I'd help but my hands are full."

Doyle smiled as Ana tugged on his nose. Turning she took out her phone to text Percy. Her mother liked to know who was home for dinner.

"Everything okay?"

She turned around. "Yup. Just letting my family know I won't be home."

He laughed. "Seriously?"

She smirked. "I know it's a little ironic."

"More than a little. I hated to hear they had worried, but I was sorry you had to leave so abruptly."

"Are you sorry about who I am?"

Gray looked at her. His eyes were hard to read. "Yes, and no. You are you, but we are from different worlds."

Doyle shook her head. "Our worlds are changing. Look at how Monty lives. My brother lives similarly. My siblings and I don't get bogged down in all the bullshit my mother is obsessed about."

Monty appeared barefoot wearing faded jeans. "You two look serious. I'll take her before she gets too hungry. Continue." He disappeared into the kitchen and Doyle continued to pack up. As soon as she closed the case, Gray smiled. "I'll load them into the car."

"Trying to get rid of me?" She stuck out her lower lip.

He shook his head. "Just trying to be efficient. You are Monty's guest."

She stepped closer. "I would like to be yours."

He stepped back. "Leave it this way." He frowned like a boy who lost his puppy.

Doyle shrugged. "I thought we were friends."

"Let's join the others." Gray put out his hand for Doyle to go first.

Sofia was putting plates on a table large enough for the small gathering. It was less pretentious than a dining room and proved her point about her generation of wealthy kids.

"Can I help you?"

"You can set the forks and knives."

As Doyle distributed the flatware, she said, "If I had known I would have brought dessert."

"Bought it." Gray winked.

"Actually, I've been baking. It was something I did when I was younger and recently started again. I can't cook anything, but I can bake."

Sofia smiled. "Next time you can treat us."

Rosa moved next to her. "Sofia said you live in a big old home on Beacon Hill."

She nodded. Monty asked, "Did you have to dress for dinner as a kid? I hated it."

She chuckled. "Only in the dining room. When my father worked late, we ate in the breakfast room."

Gray looked at her. "Would you have changed if you went home to eat?"

She looked down at herself. "No. It's a weekday and I'm not in jeans or shorts."

They piled the table with food. Family style was less pretentious than being served. At Baxter's house, he served family style or buffet.

After they sat and started eating, Doyle turned to Monty. "I was telling Gray my brother's house is more relaxed like this."

"Tarzan?" Sofia asked.

Doyle giggled. "No, Kasper lives at home too. Baxter."

Monty nodded. "I like him. He and Sinclair."

"You are all the next generation taking over for your fathers."

"True enough." Monty agreed with her.

The others talked as she listened and ate. Gray sat across the table, so she couldn't touch him. The food was delicious. Doyle said, "This is better than a restaurant."

Gray and Monty looked at each other and laughed. Monty said, "Home cooked food can be much better. Right Rosa."

"I worked in restaurants. In my kitchen, I make delicious food."

Doyle remembered she was a cook. "Who is cooking tonight?"

"Their son-in-law likes to grill."

Monty nodded. "All my friends are raising their families without the pretentiousness we grew up with. In fact, most married people who grew up middle class."

"Like my sister-in-law. Like I said, things are different. My family history includes love stories which were cast aside to marry someone suitable, often without love."

"Suitable without love describes my parents' marriage." Monty shrugged it off.

Ana grew restless and Lina followed her. Gray stood and took her plate and his and carried them to the kitchen. Monty took Sofia's plate, but Sofia lifted the salad bowl. Doyle, wanting to feel useful, picked up the bowl of potatoes.

Gray looked at his phone. "I have to answer." He left through a back door.

Doyle continued to help until Sofia proclaimed she was a guest. "I don't mind."

"Come on. Let's go watch the girls play." She followed Monty out of the kitchen area. "My wife and her sister like to gossip in Spanish. Since I cooked, I let them."

"Where's Lina's father?"

"Julio is working late. He's the gardener at the estate where Rosa works. That's how they met."

"Did you grow up with a gardener?"

He smiled as he handed Ana a toy. "Yes, but not full time."

"But now they are your family."

"They are. You know he won't tell me about that weekend." Doyle felt her face blush. "If he didn't care he would."

"My mother cares about appearances."

"I rebelled against my upbringing years ago. My father can't do anything about my lifestyle and my mother would never piss me off, because she loves Ana. I've met your parents. They may not be as accepting."

Doyle thought of Ivy. She wasn't the oldest son. Still Monty had brought up her parents.

"I had convinced myself I loved a rockstar. My mother would have fainted if I brought him home."

"We all did stupid things. At your age, I spent most of my time traveling around the world. I liked to bungee jump. I still do, but then I think of Sofia and Ana and even a fraction of risk is too much."

"Don't tell my brother. He would love that."

"Tarzan?" She nodded.

Ana tipped over and cried. As her father comforted her, Doyle stood and went back into the kitchen. The sisters were deep in conversation, so she walked through the door. At the bottom of the stairs, she knocked lightly on his door. He appeared and held his phone away from his ear and rolled his eyes. She silently chuckled.

"Mom, I'm glad it worked out for Uncle Sheldon, but I have to go. I know. Love you." His whole body relaxed with his sigh.

"Everything okay?"

"Yeah. My uncle had his gallbladder out. Honestly, I think she described the surgery."

Doyle laughed. She loved the thought of him as a son. "You're a good boy."

He smiled and shook his head slowly. "Are you ready to go?"

She shook her head. "I came to see you." She looked around. "I miss this place." Without waiting for a response, she disappeared into the bathroom. Smiling, she checked her hair and face in the mirror. Good enough. When she stepped out, she smiled. "Nice mirror."

Pink crept up his cheeks. "I tried to protect you."

She stepped, so she was right in front of him and reached up to put her hands on his shoulders. "I know."

He stared down at her and she silently begged. Kiss me.

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