#Chapter 93: The Warm Family Feels

I snuggled in against Charles, the wicker squeaking beneath us. “Thank you,” I said. “For what?” Charles asked. “For accepting me. For including me. I never asked you to fold me completely into your life.” He kissed the top of my head and held me close. “I told you I wanted you around me always. The closer you grow, the more I love every part of you. And if I love you this much, my family won’t be able to do anything but love you, too.” I bit back hesitations. He was promising someone else’s feelings now. Instead, I changed the subject. “Will we have time to walk down to the beach?” Charles again laughed outright. This was the happiest I’d seen him for a prolonged period of time, probably since high school. “Not a chance,” he answered. “If we were calculating the amount of time between now and when Mother’s going to set dinner on the table, then there probably is enough time. However—““Charles!” his mother called from in the kitchen. Charles grinned at me. “See? Duty calls.” H