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“And steak,” Oz added.
“Rude.” Daisy rolled her eyes. “Excuse my manslice.”
“That’s not going away anytime soon, is it?” Oz muttered.
Daisy’s quick and easy smile widened. “Nope.”
Jenny laughed. “I missed you crazies. Head over to the house. We’ve got quite the spread of food set-up in the back to hold you over until dinner.”
“Yes!”
Zane and Lindsey followed as everyone got caught up. The small talk and laughter were welcome as a few of the security guys came out to make sure all was well and ended up staying for the ridiculous layout of food my mom put together.
I took Teagan’s hand and headed for the main house.
“Are you sure she’s going to like me?”
“Teag, of course she is.”
She pressed her lips together. “I don’t know why I’m so nervous. We’ve talked on the phone a few times.” She clutched my hand with both of hers. “It’s just…”
“Different?”
“Yeah.”
I opened the sliding door leading to the back of the huge one-level house. My mom’s Australian Shepard came racing to the door. I immediately dropped to my knee and took all the love.
“Okay, okay, Sadie.” I pushed her off before I got a tongue down my throat. That was reserved for Teagan.
And because Sadie was shameless, she loved all over Teagan, who was more than happy to fawn all over her.
I stood up as my mom stopped on the threshold to her kitchen.
“Ma.”
“Oh, Cooper. I was trying to get cleaned up before I saw you.” She wiped her hands on the ever-present flour sack towel she tucked in her front pocket.
There were a few more lines around her eyes from her endless hours in the sun, but my mother was still ridiculously stunning. Her dark hair was cut to her shoulders, and her widow’s peak had a streak of gray to it. She crossed to me and crushed me in one of her perfect mom hugs.
The scent of sunshine, wool, and her one indulgence, Dior, washed over me.
She pushed me back and gripped my arms. “God, how did you get bigger?”
I laughed. “We get bored on the bus. There’s a lot of weightlifting.”
“Evidently.” She peered around me. “Hello there.”
I cleared my throat and held my hand out to my girl. “Mom, meet Teagan Daly. Teag, my mom, Melissa.”
“Hi.” Teagan’s grip was bone-shattering.
My mom didn’t give her a second. She immediately went to her, cupping her face. “Oh, you’re so beautiful.” She looked up at me with shiny eyes. “Cooper? She’s gorgeous.”
“I’m aware.”
“Um, thank you.” Teagan laughed and even her eyes were bright pink. She dabbed at the corners. “Sorry, sympathy crier.”
“We’ve heard so much about you.” My mom rubbed my arm. “And now all his people are here. I’m so glad you guys could make it happen.”
