All That Really Matters (McKenzie Family Romance #1)

by Nicole Deese

I glanced up to find Silas’s eyes not on the gorgeous table setting before us, but on me.

“A bar?” I asked as he parked and unlocked our doors. “And grill. A bar and grill,” he repeated, as if that made it any less bar-like. “You do know what goes on in an establishment like this, right?” I lowered my voice in a mock whisper. “I hear they serve forbidden beverages here. Aren’t you worried this might break my volunteer contract at The Bridge?” “Not as long as you promise to refrain from all Jell-O shot table-dancing endeavors,” he deadpanned.

“Would you like me to give you a few pointers?” “About thirty minutes ago, yes.” Silas laughed, and so did I.

“This will complicate things, Molly.” “I’m not afraid of complicated.” He smiled and brought his hand to my cheek. “I’m not, either.” And then Silas’s lips were on mine and his hand was at the back of my head and all the fantasies I’d ever had about a first kiss were forced to bow to my present reality, because this man kissed the same way he drove. The same way he threw a dart. The same way he passed a bar exam while working full-time with the forgotten youth in his community. Like a perfectionist with something to prove.

“It’s just a little bit outrageous.” Suddenly, there was no better compliment to receive in all the world.

“Catherine is the imaginary girlfriend I made up for you—a justice-seeking lobbyist for the vulnerable and disadvantaged. But I’m sure she probably smuggles Bibles into communist countries as a side hustle, too.” After several beats of silence, Silas said, “You are without a doubt the strangest woman I’ve ever known.” “I believe it.”