“Emily and Wade brought him in to meet everyone last month. I hadn’t seen him since the week he was born. He’s grown so big.”
Her heart swelled with love for her nephew. “He seems to grow bigger every day. Did Wade tell you he’s trying to crawl?”
Morgan laughed. “It would be simpler to ask what your brother didn’t tell me about that boy.”
She smiled. “I know. He’s the proudest father I’ve ever seen.”
“And he’s happy. Truly happy,” Morgan added.
“That’s Emily’s doing.” She retook her seat. “She’s brought back the old Wade, only better.”
Morgan nodded. “Agreed. Now, I know you ordered the cheesecake for dessert, but I’ve been playing with a new recipe and I’d love for you to be the first to try it.”
“Oh, Morgan, I’d be honored. What it is?” Her taste buds watered. Morgan’s desserts were famous and getting to sample his latest creation was not only a privilege, but a thrill.
“It’s pastry-based, but that’s all I’m telling you for now.” His cheeky smile made her laugh.
“Oh, you. Fine, don’t tell me, but I expect you to join me for coffee while I eat this mysterious wonder.”
“Done.” Morgan leaned down to kiss her cheek and whispered, “If you need rescuing you know the signal.”
Her heart rose to her throat.
From the moment she was old enough to date Wade, Brent, and Morgan had been her watchdogs, each of them looking out for her, but not stepping over the line into overbearing.
Swallowing, she dredged up a smile. “Thank you.”
Morgan squeezed her shoulder. “You’re welcome. I should get back to the kitchen. There’s no telling what trouble my staff will get into left alone.”
She watched Morgan walk away and wondered why she’d never felt anything but brotherly love for him. He was an amazing guy and it would have been so much easier if she were attracted to him.
Instead her traitorous heart wanted Brent.
Snapped from her thoughts by Edward clearing his throat, she turned to face her dinner companion.
“That was rather rude,” he grumbled.
“What was?”
“Him.”
“Morgan?”
“Yes. Not once did he look my way and you didn’t even bother to introduce me.” Edward’s thin bottom lip attempted a pout, but without any real substance he couldn’t pull it off.
She wanted to laugh at his childish behavior, but doing so wouldn’t improve their evening. “You know Morgan already, so there was no reason to introduce you.” She ignored the rest of his accusation.
“Well, still, I expected better of you.” He crossed his arms over his chest.
She arched an eyebrow. “Really? After the way you used my name to get a reservation this evening?”
He had the grace to blush, but he brazened it out by saying, “I would have thought using your name to gain a table was acceptable under the circumstances.”
“Which circumstances?” She wasn’t about to let him off the hook. In fact, she was close to getting up and walking away.
“I couldn’t exactly take you to a lower class restaurant.”
The indignation in his voice brought her up short.
