I pressed my lips together. “Guy can dream, can’t he?”
Maggie
Daddy clapped. “Everybody listen up!”
Graham and I moved back to the great room.
“I’m thinking we all head over to the nearest supper club for some after-dinner dancing.”
“Ooo, that sounds like a marvelous idea, Charles,” Mom piped in.
“What’s wrong with dancing here?” Katie asked. “We’ve got the world full of music. Graham could teach us all how to samba…”
“You know how to samba?” I asked.
“Just because I know how to throw my ass in a circle doesn’t mean I know how to samba.”
“No offense, Kaitlyn.” Mom rose, looking down her nose at Katie. “Frankly, I don’t want to dance with you or your friends.”
“It’s Katie… and I never asked you to.”
“I’m gonna go clean up the kitch’n.” Annie stood up—stopping the escalation of something that would most likely humiliateallparties involved.
“Let me help, Annie.” Graham offered.
“Oh, you hush, Graham. I know how to clean a kitchen. I’ve owned a bakery for thirty-five years.”
Graham threw his hands up in a placating gesture. “Just thought you’d like some help’s all.”
Annie eyed him up and down. “Come on, I’m sure I can teach yasomethin’.”
“Bet yah can.” He chuckled.
Daddy came over and gave me a kiss on the forehead. “You joining us, pumpkin?”
“No, uh… I’m probably going to hang back. My head is still a little funny.”
“Well, alright. You get some rest. We’ll see you first thing in the morning.”
“Okay, Daddy.”
The rest of my family filtered through to get to the coat closet.
“Locke, see you at the parade, right?” Daddy pointed two fingers at him before taking his coat from Gemma.
“Yes, sir.” Graham touched his fingers to the small of my back as he snuck past to see him off. Hot electricity shot up my spine and I may have broken into a small sweat. I let out a deep breath.
“Hey Mags,” Derek said, suddenly a little too close.
I startled.“Jesus!”
“I’m probably going to head out too. Do you think I could get that plate for Trix?”
“Of course.” I hugged him. “Thank you for everything.”
“No worries, Mags.” He squeezed me tight. “We’ve got you.”
Annie poked her head out from the kitchen. “Derek, what does Trix like? And Graham I thought you was fixin’ to help me.”
