“Isn’t he something like eighty years old?”
“Yep, so I’ll probably give him a heart attack.”
“You’re an evil woman, Grace.”
“I try.”
Cam shut her door and was climbing into the driver’s seat within seconds. It wasn’t until they were on the road that she realized he’d kept her so busy, she’d forgotten that she hadn’t wanted to ride with him in the first place.
Camden Whitman was too smooth for her own good. What on earth was she going to do about it?
A get-together at any of the Whitmans’ places wasn’t just a casual dinner and small talk around a table. Oh, no. It was laughter, music, noise, children running around, and hardworking people letting go on a Friday night.
Cam and Grace walked inside the mansion her bestie Sage referred to modestly as a “house,” and people were scattered throughout.
“Let’s head to the back. That’s where the real fun is,” Cam told her, and before she could refuse, he was taking her hand and leading her through the maze of hallways.
A brightly burning fire, at a safe distance from the house, caught Grace’s immediate attention, and the smell of barbecued meat filled the air. She hadn’t felt hungry up until that very moment and she was surprised when she began to salivate and the muscles in her stomach started to constrict and growl.
Surveying the tables to the right, she winced slightly—her salad hadn’t made it to the event when countless other delightful dishes had.
“Grace. You’re late,” Spence said as he came up and pulled her away from Cam. She missed the wink he sent his brother, but she didn’t miss the scowl Cam shot him.
“I dropped the salad and almost fell down the stairs. It’s a long and boring story. I’m sorry,” she told him as she gave him a quick squeeze to return his embrace.
“Bummer. I love your salads, but I’m certainly glad you didn’t fall and break something. Of course, with two excellent surgeons here, we would have fixed you up in no time.”
Cam guffawed. “Any chance to brag, huh, brother?”
“Well, of course,” Spence replied, feigning innocence as he kept his arm around Sage.
Sage felt as if she were in a battle of wills, and she wanted no part of it. She shifted on her feet and planned her escape route.
“Grace, you’re acting like a fish out of water. Knock it off. You know everyone here,” Sage said as she joined them.
“I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I guess I’ve just been sort of antisocial the last few months,” Grace said with a laugh, grateful for the interruption.
“It’s about time that ends.” Sage was emphatic.
“I agree. I never see you anymore.” Alyssa Whitman, Jackson’s wife, broke through the crowd and gave Grace a hug. “We haven’t done a girls’ night in what seems like forever.”
“Maybe because you’re about two years pregnant,” Sage replied.
“I know! I think this baby is protesting the whole idea of coming out,” Alyssa said. “I warned my doctor that if she doesn’t enter this world on her due date, I’m leaving her no choice.”
Jackson spoke now. “I want you both safe and healthy, but I have to admit, I’m pretty excited about meeting my new daughter.”
“Wow, Jackson, three girls in one house. You’re getting overrun,” Spence teased.
“And I’m loving every minute of it. Angel is the biggest blessing I could ever imagine, and this new little girl is going to wrap me around her finger, too.” His eyes softened instantly as he talked about his daughters. The world thought Jackson was so hard, but he was a puddle of mush when it came to his family.
“Yeah, she’ll have us all wrapped,” Cam chimed in.
Against her will, Grace felt her heart begin to melt even more at Cam’s confession. One thing she’d always considered pretty amazing about Cam and his brothers was the deep bond they shared with their neighbors, friends, and children. The world didn’t seem to grow men like that anymore.
Shaking her head to clear those thoughts away, Grace tried to tune back in to the conversation again. She didn’t need to be thinking about what a great guy Cam was. Sure, he was wonderful, but their time together was long past. They’d given it a shot when she was a teenager and it hadn’t worked. They’d both be much better off looking ahead and not behind.
“As much as I love my husband,” Alyssa said, “I’ve had enough of his overprotectiveness this last month, so let’s ditch the men for a while and see what treats the neighbors brought.” She took Sage and Grace’s arms and led them away.
“It’s only because I love you!” Jackson called out after them, and the three women grinned at each other.
“I can’t believe how much I adore that man,” Alyssa said with a sigh. “But my back is on fire, and I haven’t seen my feet in two months, so when I do deliver this child, I don’t think I’m going to be loving him so much.”
“At least it’s a healthy pregnancy and this little girl is going to come out chubby and smiling,” Sage replied.
“Amen to that. I have never been so scared as when Angel came too soon. I didn’t even know babies could be that tiny,” Alyssa confessed, her expression somber.
“She’s still a petite little thing,” Grace said, “but with those blond curls and big brown eyes, she’s about the cutest little girl I’ve ever seen.”
“Yes, I agree, but then, I’m pretty dang biased,” Alyssa said with a wink.