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“You know you’re always welcome here,” Nikki says as she leaves her perch at the stove to place a warm hand on my arm. “I’m just finishing up here, but there are fresh rolls and honey butter to snack on in the meantime, if you’re hungry.”
“You always did know the way to a man’s heart.” I wink at her, and she laughs.
“Why do you think I married her?” Joe Nichols calls out from somewhere down the hall.
“I see some things never change.” Nikki flaps a kitchen towel at me. “You’re just as big of a flirt as you’ve always been.”
“Ew, Mom. You’re the one flirting,” Brynn says as she proceeds to fake gag.
“What can I say? Your mom has impeccable taste,” I say.
Teagan snorts and heads for the fridge while Brynn makes a show of scoffing.
Nikki chuckles, then turns back to the stove while Brynn flashes me a thumbs up before Teagan turns back around.
“Want something to drink?” Teagan asks from the depths of the fridge.
“Sure. I’ll get it,” I say as I stand beside him and pull two glasses from the cupboard, then proceed to pull a Coke and lemon out of the fridge. I pour two glasses and freeze mid-lemon-squeeze when I realize my mistake.
Swallowing, I feel the heat of Teagan’s gaze boring into the side of my head.
“Thanks.” Brynn says, rudely swiping a glass out from under me, then turning to Teagan. “I’ve trained him well. It only took a few dozen times of busting his balls for him to find some manners.” She flashes me a meaningful look, and I’d kiss her for saving my ass if it I knew it wouldn’t be the nail in the coffin. “You should’ve seen how long it took me to get him and his roommate to leave the toilet seat down.” She shakes her head. “Animals. . .”
Nikki laughs while I shrug guiltily, but Teagan only seems slightly mollified by her response. The stiff set of his shoulder remains even when his frown dissipates.
“Right,” he says, through slightly narrowed eyes.
I tense under his gaze moments before screaming erupts down the hallway, followed by the pounding of feet so loud, it sounds like a stampede.
Trista and Sable come crashing toward me and wrap me up in a hug, their short arms around my waist. “Jace, will you have a tea party with us?” Sabel asks.
“Please?” Trista says, clasping her hands in prayer.
“It depends. What kind of tea are we drinking?”
Sabel whispers, “Trista snuck a Mountain Dew from the little fridge in the garage.”
“I heard that,” Nikki calls out. “And we’re eating in five minutes.”
Sabel’s cheeks redden as she tilts her head, waiting for my answer.
“Tell you what. Since we’re eating soon, why don’t we wait until after dinner, then we’ll have more time.”
Sabel purses her lips as if she’s considering my suggestion. “Sounds like a deal. Come on, Trista, let’s go pour the tea!” With a squeal, they turn and head for the stairs that lead to their shared bedroom. I know when they drag me there later, they’ll have a full table ready for me, complete with plastic tea cups and pilfered soda and snacks.
“By the way, I hope you kids are up for it because I’m planning a big barbecue for next week,” Nikki informs us. “Teagan’s already let the boys know, but we have family and neighbors coming, too.”
“Noted,” Brynn says.
“Don’t sound so excited.” Nikki laughs. “You know, if you have anyone special who you met back at school, you’re more than welcome to invite them.”
“Mom.” Brynn glares.
“What?” she shrugs. “You didn’t meet any nice boys over the summer?”
I wait until Teagan turns his attention to Brynn, then offer her a devilish smirk and mouth, “Did you?”
She purses her lips to hide a smile. “Well, the first guy I talked to ended up being a real jerk, so after that I kind of swore off trying to get to know anyone new.” Brynn steps forward and grabs a sweet roll from the basket on the island.
