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“No PDA for you,” I call out and laugh when he waves over his head, his shoulders bouncing as he undoubtedly chuckles.
The afternoon goes by quickly and painlessly as I fly around playing host. With a beer in hand, Wes spends most of his time hanging out with the guys, and they appear to be getting along well. I’d know, because my eyes have pretty much been on him or Katie all day. And since Katie’s all good—currently playing tag with Liam and Addie, Cory and Nate’s little one—Wes is my focus right now.
“You’ve found yourself a good one there, sis,” Dylan says, joining me at my side.
Wrapping an arm around his waist, I couldn’t stop my beaming smile, even if I tried. It’s been a long time coming, but I have. I’ve finally got myself a keeper.
“He’s alright,” I say, making Dylan laugh.
“I was watching him play with Katie earlier. They definitely seem more comfortable together than she and Greg do. At least from the two times I tagged along. Maybe the last one was different.”
He shrugs while I sigh. “No, you’re right. Greg’s trying. I have to give him that credit, but they’re not really connecting. She seems to have instantly bonded with Wes, and I don’t know why.”
Dylan’s brows furrow as we both watch Katie run toward Wes and hide behind his legs. He plays along, jokingly pointing in the opposite direction when Liam comes looking for her.
My chest fills with a lightness I don’t think I’ve ever felt.Can I really have a guy and Katie in my life, and make it work?
“Could it be something to do with howyoufeel about both guys?” Dylan says, interrupting my thoughts. “Maybe Katie’s picking up on your vibes.” He shrugs.
Shit! My eyes shoot to his and I frown. “Oh God. What if you’re right? That’s not fair to Greg.”
“Bullshit, the guy deserves every negative thing coming his way.”
“He’s Katie’s father.”
“He’s bad news, Lucy. Always has been. And if he ever steps out of line, he’ll have a lot of people to answer to. And the first person on that list is currently showing your daughterexactlythe kind of man she should have in her life.”
My gaze follows to where Dylan’s pointing at Katie up on Wes’s shoulders, and I swallow a lump in my throat. Let’s hope Greg never does anything to warrant that, because Dylan’s right… I have no doubt Wes will be the first one to throw a punch.
Despite me begging them not to, Joel and Nate set up karaoke at Katie’s request. Nate and Cory sing first while Katie watches with stars in her eyes. You’d think they were famous with the way she’s staring at them.
When they finish, and Joel sets up for his song, Katie comes running over, her face full of excitement.
“Can you ask Wes if he’ll sing with me? Please?”
I bark out a laugh and look over my shoulder, into the house, where Wes is restocking the drinks with the ones he brought. I’d love to see that, but I can’t imagine he’ll say yes.
Joel groans into the mic, drawing everyone’s attention, and I start to laugh until I see why he’s so pissed off. Greg’s walking through the gate, almost exactly on time, with flowers in hand. His eyes scan the crowd, presumably for Katie, but she hasn’t noticed him yet.
“Your dad just arrived. Didn’t you want to sing karaoke with him?” I ask, pointing in his direction.
The words taste like poison on my tongue, but ever since Dylan mentioned my feelings affecting Katie’s, I can’t stop thinking about how I can fix that.
Katie shakes her head almost violently without even looking Greg’s way. “Nope, I want to ask Wes!” She stamps her foot as though I’m stopping her, when in reality that’s definitely my preferred option.
“Okay, go and ask him. He’s inside the house.”
Katie skips away, calling his name as she does, and I want to laugh but I can’t.This is going to be a train wreck. I can already see it.Although, if I’m lucky, maybe it will break the tension of Greg’s arrival.
When I step closer to Joel, he announces he’s taking five and joins me by my side as Greg walks over. “Lucy, thank you for inviting me today.”
Joel’s shoulder subtly bumps mine, reassuring me that he’s here, giving me the strength I need to pretend everything is good. “Thank you for coming. Katie’s going to be thrilled. She’s inside at the moment, but should be out shortly.”
Greg smiles, his eyes scanning the yard.
“There’s a present table over there.” I point. “If you don’t want to carry the flowers around, you can put them down. I’ll get a vase.”
“Thank you.” He nods and then walks in the direction I just pointed.
