Page 30 of After You Returned

She snorts. “I can handle you, but I don’t have to. Once your butts are in seats, you’re the waitress’s problem.”

“Not all of our butts are here.” I motion outside to where Kai is giving Pearl, Rhett, and Dakota’s oldest girl a ride in a wheelchair while Zane encourages him and Rhett glowers. “Don’t suppose you can help me wrangle the Raider bunch?”

She raises her eyebrow. “Is this a challenge?”

I forgot how much my girl loves challenges. I nod. “Yes, it is.”

“Be right back.” She marches to the door and flings it open. “Hey, Raider bunch! Get your butts inside or I’ll tell the chef you’re all on a liquid diet and can only eat porridge tonight.”

Kai freezes. “No steak? No cranberry cheesecake?”

“Not unless your butt is in your seat at your table within the next minute.”

Rhett snags Pearl from the wheelchair. “Let’s go. I’ve been looking forward to the Hasselback potatoes all week.”

The Raider crew bustles inside and aims straight for the large table in the corner. No one argues about who is sitting where – a favorite Raider pastime – and everyone is seated within a minute. It’s a smuggler miracle.

“Challenge complete,” Hazel says as she sets a menu down in front of me.

“Someone has a crush,” Kai sings.

I glare at him. “Don’t embarrass Hazel.”

“Dude.” Zane snorts. “Hazel is long gone. He’s referring to your blush.”

I scowl. “I don’t blush.”

“What’s a crush?” Pearl asks.

“Remember when you liked that boy at school, Harold?” Dakota asks and Pearl nods. “That’s a crush.”

“Uncle Miles! Do you have a crush on Hazel?” Pearl shouts.

“No.” My feelings for Hazel are way more than a crush.

“But she’s pretty. You should marry her.”

Maybe I will. But first, I need Hazel to give me a second chance.

“What about this Harold guy? Do you intend to marry him?”

Her nose wrinkles. “Gross. I’m five.”

“And you shouldn’t be interested in boys,” Rhett growls.

Zane and Eli nod in agreement.

“Save me from girl dads,” Paisley mutters as she tweaks Stephanie’s nose.

Jaxon frowns as he scans the table. “This is very odd.”

“What’s odd, nerd boy?” Blossom asks.

He motions to the table. “All of the grandchildren are girls.”

“Do you not like girls?”

“I think I’ve proven how much I like girls,” he mutters and Blossom’s breath hitches. I never expected their fake marriage to become real, but it’s obvious how much those two love each other.