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Slater grabbed his wallet and keys and made his way down to the entryway where Rainey’s four adorable kids were bouncing around, excited to spend the whole night with their aunt and uncle. “Can we have ice cream?” her son asked. He knew from his late-night chats with Rainey that her son’s name was Jack, just like her late husband.
“Of course,” Beck agreed. “I’ve even got some candy that we can sprinkle on for toppings. The sky’s the limit at Aunt Beck and Uncle Knox’s place.” The kids all cheered, and Rainey giggled.
“It’s your funeral, Sis,” Rainey said. “You sugar them up, you deal with them since they are spending the night.” Knox groaned and took the kid’s bags from Rainey.
“Maybe we should rethink this whole candy thing, honey,” he grumbled to his new wife.
“Naw—my nephew and nieces are good as gold and won’t give us any trouble, right guys?” Beck questioned. The kids put on their best cherub expressions and smiled up at her, nodding their little heads, causing them all to laugh. “How about you four go on with Uncle Knox to the family room. He’s got a special surprise for you guys—a new video game,” she whispered.
“You really are the worst at keeping secrets, honey,” Knox griped. “Come on guys,” he said. The kids quickly kissed and hugged Rainey and took off after Knox, cheering and shouting about who was going to go first to play the new game.
“So, you never told me what you were going to be doing with your night of freedom,” Beck said. Slater knew her well enough to know that she was fishing for details. A part of him wondered if Rainey would admit that she was going out on a date with him or if she’d leave him standing in the entryway like a fool, while she pretended that they weren’t leaving together.
“I have a date,” she said to her sister. Rainey smiled over at him and God, she took his breath away.
“A date?” Beck asked. “And you’re just telling me this now?” her sister asked.
“Well, I wasn’t sure how you’d feel about me going out and all,” Rainey admitted.
“I’m great with you finally dating. Jack wouldn’t want you to be single forever, Rainey,” Beck said. “He’s been gone for over two years now and you deserve to find some happiness. Who’s the lucky guy?” Beck asked.
Slater cleared his throat and Beck turned to find him standing behind her. “Sorry to interrupt,” he said.
“Hey Slater,” Beck said. “You’re not interrupting, but it was just Rainey and the kids at the door. They are staying with us because my sister has a date,” she whispered that last part as if it was a secret, making him chuckle.
“Jesus, Beck,” Rainey grumbled.
“Thanks for checking up on us though,” Beck said, effectively dismissing Slater.
“Not a problem,” he said to Beck. Slater looked Rainey over and smiled. “You look beautiful tonight, Rain,” he said, using the little nickname he knew that she’d scoff at later when they were alone. It was one of the things he liked best about her—she didn’t take any shit from anyone, not even him.
“Thanks,” she breathed. “You look pretty good yourself,” Rainey said. He could feel Beck’s eyes on them, looking between the two of them as if she was watching a ping pong match.
“What the hell is going on here?” she asked.
“Everything all right?” Knox questioned, wrapping his arms around his wife from behind. “I got the kids settled playing games and they were wondering when they can have ice cream.”
“In a minute,” Beck breathed. “And, no,” she grumbled. “Everything is not all right. Something weird is going on between Slater and my sister.”
“What’s she talking about, Slater?” Knox asked him.
“He just told my sister that she looks beautiful,” Beck answered before he could get a word out. “And Rainey told him that he looks handsome.”
Knox chuckled, “So, you finally asked her out, didn’t you?” he asked Slater.
“Yeah,” Slater breathed. “Is that okay with you, Boss?” he asked.
Knox shrugged. “You don’t have to ask my permission to date, Slater. You are both adults, so have at it.”
“Have at it?” Beck growled, turning to face her husband. Knox smiled down at her, but she didn’t seem to buy into his charms as she usually did. “What the hell does, ‘Have at it’ mean, exactly?”
“It means that your sister and Slater are grown adults and if they want to go on a date together, then they should. It’s none of our business,” he said. Beck looked about ready to combust. Her face turned a shade of red that he hadn’t seen in a damn long time and Slater knew that it was time for them to leave before Beck gave her sister an earful.
“Ready?” he asked Rainey, holding out his hand for her.
“Yep,” she agreed. “Thanks for watching the kids guys. I’ll be back tomorrow to pick them up after breakfast.”
“No rush,” Knox called. “Enjoy your night guys.” Slater pulled Rainey along with him to the elevator, not bothering to look back when Beck’s frustrated little growl filled the entry foyer. Slater knew that he’d have to deal with her later, but right now, he just wanted to get Rainey out of there. He finally had his chance with her and there was no way that he’d blow it. Rainey Nolan was finally going to be all his—even if it was for just one night.
