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“Nope,” Jessica said. “I’d rather be around men than women half the time to. The women in this room excluded.”
“See, Dad. It’s a family thing.”
“I’ve got to know,” Uncle Gavin asked. “What do you think of Fred?”
“He’s fine,” Sawyer said. “We have a mutual respect for each other.”
“That means you bribe him with meat,” Cade said. “Right?”
“He’s been known to do that,” Faith said. “Not often. Are you ready to have the twins come and play with Fred? What do you two think of that?”
Regan stopped chasing her brother. “Fred is your dog?”
“Yes,” she said.
Alex started to laugh and she winked. “I like dogs,” Cameron said. “We want a dog.”
“I heard that,” Faith said. “My dog is big. Want to see a picture of him?”
She pulled her phone out and showed them Fred. “Ohhh, I want to pet Fred. Daddy,” Regan said, “I want a dog.”
“Why doesn’t Faith watch you one day and you can meet Fred,” Cade said.
She laughed. “It’s not going to work the way you think it is.” She turned and looked at her aunt and uncle. “No matter how much you think you’ve got it figured out, you never will.” There was a lot of laughter to that too. Everyone in the room knew what she was saying, but she turned back to Cade. “Trust me, but anytime you want them to come over, I’m around.”
They left an hour later. She’d had enough of people for the day, family or not, and hated the eyes on her and Sawyer.
“That was a long day,” she said.
“It could have been worse,” he said. “But you’re right. I’ve met your uncle a handful of times and I’ve never seen him that way before.”
“What way is that?” she asked.
“Overly nice and wanting you to know he’s got your back.”
“Good cop and bad cop,” she said. “You know that move, right?”
He grinned. “I do and that is a good description.”
“Which one are you? I bet you’re the bad cop. From what you’ve said, James doesn’t have it in him to be bad.”
“You’re right. Though it’s not like you see on TV. By the way, at some point, Sondra would like to have you over for dinner. I said I’d ask, but it’s been a little hectic between work and my family. Then today.”
“I’ll make the time,” she said. “You let me know what works.”
“I will,” he said. There was a bit of silence and he asked, “What was that comment about you hanging out with guys?”
She laughed. “Nothing. As you can tell, I come from a family of boys. I’m used to being around them more. Women are catty, as I said. I’ve been the outcast a lot. Even in my family some but never in a mean way.”
“I get it,” he said.
“Do you?” she asked. “You frowned. You don’t think I’m talking with other guys and flirting or something, do you? I can barely handle flirting with you.”
She was grinning when she said it. “No,” he said. “It was just the first I’ve heard that is all.”
She wasn’t going to argue with him. She was pretty sure she’d commented before about getting along with men better than women, but maybe that wasn’t the same thing in his eyes. He’d said before he didn’t always trust people, but she’d never thought that pertained to her. At least now.
Maybe it was time to think about telling him how she felt. Then he’d know and it would relieve his mind.
