“Because Griffin and Alexis are both coming, and you know better than me, unless you’re sick with the bubonic plague, you won’t be able to tell them to stay away. Alexis already made her homemade tamales.”
Ryder’s mouth pinched in a tight line. “I do like her tamales.”
“There you go. No worries.” I kissed him again, swatted his finely toned backside, and sent him on the way to arrange the sofa and loveseat so there was room for people to move freely.
I’d never say I told him so, but I absolutely did. Ryder doesn’t need to entertain anyone. They’re all enjoying themselves. Adults dressed in ugly sweaters spread out around the front room, eating, drinking, laughing.
I wince when Sasha digs her claws into my arm. “Is that Rees Hayden?”
I glance over to where the bassist and his wife, Vienna, talk with Parker and Skye. “Yes.”
“How is it possible a guy can look so good while wearing a sweater with gold tassels?”
I nudge her ribs. “Well, looks like Hudson likes him too.”
She pales when she realizes Hudson is in the huddle, laughing along with Ellie Hawkins, Mason’s parents, and Noah Hayden, Rees’s twin brother, who is making a splash in Hollywood with his TV series.
“Go on.” I give her shoulders a little push.
“I can’t. I’m stuck. I’ll be weird. Avie, I teach children all day. I use a lot of adverbs.”
“Sash, I promise they’re nice. Hudson is right there.”
“He’s used to talking with all kinds of people.”
“Yeah, while he’s arresting them.”
“You’ll be fine.”
Hudson must have a direct link to his fiancée’s distress signals. After a second nudge from me, he catches sight of Sasha and comes over, takes her hand, and pulls her back to the conversation. She clings to Hudson’s hand, but she’s at ease almost immediately.
Guess that happens when you find your safe person.
Maybe Ryder has a connection to me when I’m thinking of him. Two heartbeats later, his arms curl around my waist and he nuzzles the crook of my neck. “Sasha isn’t going to puke anymore?”
I laugh and spin around in his arms until we’re chest to chest. “Nope, she’s good.”
“I considered it a plus that she hasn’t killed me yet.” He glances at my friend mingled with his friends. “He didn’t think much of me at first, but her fiancé is a pretty cool guy.”
“Hudson is perfect for Sasha,” I say. “He’s a good guy.”
My heart tightens a bit. Hudson is good friends with Drake. Once upon a time my brother would be here, he’d be at Ryder’s side like his unofficial bodyguard.
For the first time, I admit there is an ache that two men I love hate each other.
“Your face dropped,” Ryder says, studying me. “You okay?”
I smile. Now is not the time to be a downer. One palm on his face, I peck his lips. “I’m glad I’m here. With you.”
Ryder rests his forehead to mine. “I wish we could go back in time.”
“Sometimes I do too. But maybe we had things to learn along the way that will make us even stronger.”
Right on cue, his phone buzzes. Ryder glances at the screen, rolls his eyes, and shoves it back into his pocket.
“What is it?”
“Mitch.”
