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“That guy was an asshole.”
Gemma tried to keep the peace. There was no need for a lover’s quarrel—even if they denied being lovers right now. She put a hand on Nora’s shoulder to pull her attention from Jude. “You like to read? My husband and I are both huge readers. Have you seen the library here?”
Nora nodded. “It’s gorgeous. I’m a librarian back home and I definitely wish public libraries were that cozy.”
The foursome somehow fell into a comfortable conversation that flowed until they finished the fondue and their drinks.
Jude insisted on covering everything by telling the server to put it all on his room, and Gemma gave Nora her phone number even though Russell would claim it wasn’t safe. It was obvious these two had zero idea who she and Kendall were.
When they all stood to leave, Gemma hugged Nora.
“Take it from me and don’t fight the attraction if it’s there. You’ll be so much happier when you finally give in.”
Nora spluttered and tried to protest again, but Gemma just winked. “Send me an invitation to the wedding.”
Kendall laughed and looped her arm through Gemma’s as they headed for the elevator. “You’re ridiculous, you know that?”
“Me? I’m not the one agreeing to share fondue with complete strangers.”
They were still bantering back and forth when they reached the library to find both their spouses waiting on them.
“What’s going on?” Gemma asked when Russell held his hand out for hers and used his shoulder to push open the library door.
“Shhh. We’re waiting on Holly and Elijah so we can surprise them.”
“Surprise them with…” her voice trailed off when she saw what her husband had done.
The library was filled with familiar faces from Club Solitaire. Austin and Patrick, Hunter and Trinity, Samuel, and Erin. Even Jax and Dakota had showed up and lately they rarely left Dakota’s ranch in Texas.
Lance and Marissa were snuggled on one couch, and Isabelle and Garrett were on another.
“David and Emily are bringing Holly and Elijah. We’re going to have a little family reunion.”
Gemma shook her head and threw her arms around her husband. “This was the phone call you made the other night, wasn’t it?”
Russell laughed and kissed her tenderly. “It took a few more calls than just one, but yes. Elijah mentioned it had been too long since we were all in the same room, so I made a few calls to see when everyone could get in.”
She wanted to run around the room hugging everyone, but Russell kept her by his side. “We can visit with everyone after the others get here,” he assured her.
His phone buzzed, and he pulled it out of his shirt pocket to check it.
He gave Matthew a thumbs up, and he turned out the lights.
Somewhere in the dark, a woman giggled, followed by a loud shushing sound.
“I’m jet lagged and need a martini, Russell. Let’s get this show on the road.”
Dakota’s voice was recognizable, and Gemma stifled a laugh.
The door opened, and Elijah stepped in first with Melissa holding his hand.
“It’s dark in here, Daddy,” she whispered.
The lights came up and for a few seconds, chaos erupted as Holly squealed and everyone jumped up for hugs. It took a solid ten minutes for everyone to settle down enough for Russell to thank everyone for dropping everything to get on a plane at the last minute.
“Gemma and I have been talking a lot about starting a family, but it wasn’t until we were out searching for Melissa the other day that I remembered we already have the best family anyone could hope for, and a reunion was long overdue.”
Gemma’s eyes were brimming with unshed tears when she went to him and wrapped her arms around him.
