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Gina grins wide, her eyes lighting up.
As a child who was somewhat cast aside by my adoptive parents, I’ve always found the dynamic of these people something to strive for. Adalynn’s parents are divorced. Both her mother and father remarried, but the two couples spend a lot of time together. No matter which house we’re at for the very frequent dinners they have, the other couple is always here. I’d go so far as to say that Gina and Robin are best friends, as are their husbands Charlie and Donald.
They do everything together. So much so, that more than once Adalynn’s brothers have suggested that they have a ménage thing going on. This always makes Adalynn blush and quickly shuts the conversation down. Her brothers are a little wild andcrazy and have it in their minds that they’ll eventually find a woman worth sharing and settling down with. But Lindell isn’t exactly the type of town that generates women interested in going public with a polyamorous relationship despite there being many that are willing to spend a night or two dabbling.
“Speaking of conspiracies,” Gina begins.
“Not tonight, Mom,” Adalynn says as she enters the room and immediately crosses it in my direction. “He knows to bring red wine because Robin always cooks beef. He brings white wine to your house because you’re more likely to cook chicken.”
“What have I told you about keeping my secrets?” I tease her, opening my arms for the hug that I know is coming.
Her laughter washes over me in a way that it never should, considering we’re just friends, as I press my lips to her temple.
“I can’t spend another evening talking about UFOs and government coverups,” she says, taking a step back much too soon for my liking.
Gina frowns at her daughter, but Robin mouthsthank you. They may be best friends, but where Gina is likely to suggest crystals and sage, Robin usually takes a more traditional approach to problem solving. Somehow, the two still manage to make their friendship work.
Dinner is informal, although it takes place around Robin and Donald’s dining room table. It’s the only place in the house big enough to seat eight.
Everyone gossips about the town and the goings-on that have happened since we last got together four or five days ago. The food, the most delicious homemade lasagna I’ve ever eaten, is consumed with gusto between stories that might have a little truth to them. This is so very routine for all of us. So much so that I can predict down to the count of clanks of forks on plates as to when the conversation will shift.
I know Adalynn knows it too because she starts to shift in her seat.
“Speaking of dating,” Gina says after we’ve worked our way through predicting when Walker, the owner of The Hairy Frog, the only bar in town, will start dating.
“Madison and Chase are expecting a baby,” Adalynn says, trying to thwart the conversation from circling back to her.
Smiles spread across every face at the table.
Robin and Gina begin a side conversation about baby showers and questioning whether they think it would be rude to host one but also ask if they can hold it in the couples’ home.
“It’s the best place for it, honestly,” Robin says.
“I agree,” Gina adds. “Donald and I had our bridal shower and wedding there a million moons ago.”
“That’s right,” Robin says. “Don’t you remember, Charlie?”
“I do,” he says after swallowing a bite of food.
Did I mention that Robin and Charlie were also once married? It’s like the couples got together one day and decided to switch partners. I like things a little kinky, but that’s still something I can’t wrap my head around.
“I told you,” Ronnie tells his twin. “She was fucking glowing.”
“Watch your mouth,” Adalynn gently chides her brother.
“Not at the table,” Robin adds, not concerned at all about correcting her stepson.
“Sorry,” Ronnie apologizes.
“She did seem hotter when we saw her last week,” Donnie says.
“That’s not a thing,” Adalynn says, her little nose scrunching up.
“That a woman is hotter when she’s pregnant?” Ronnie specifies.
“Totally a thing,” Donnie confirms. “Right, Cash?”
I raise my eyebrows. These assholes are always trying to get me to say shit in front of Adalynn. I don’t know if they’re trying to push me in her direction or trying to drive a wedge between us.
