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Reese smiled behind her teacup. She could see why Grady would be cagey. “We’re just neighbors. And friends.” She paused for a moment. She liked the wayfriendsounded.
“He’s saying the same thing. It would be great having you as my daughter-in-law.”
“Oh my God! Are you trying to scare her away?” Grady said, standing next to his seated mother. “Please don’t scare her away.”
Julia pursed her lips, annoyed that her son was back so quickly.
“I was just pointing out how nice it would be.”
“I think Reese would like to get settled before dinner. Maybe relax a little and not be interrogated.”
Julia rolled her eyes. “I suppose I should get started on dinner. Your sister will be here soon.”
Julia rose and walked into the kitchen. Grady turned to Reese.
“Hurry, get away while you can!” he joked.
Reese stood up and squeezed his forearm. “Thanks for the save. I think I will go get freshened up. Thanks again for the invite.”
“Don’t thank me yet. You haven’t met Jodi.”
ChapterSixteen
Reese had curled up on the big bed for a few moments. She hadn’t expected to fall asleep, but the next thing she knew, some sort of commotion was happening in the main area of the house, and a quick look at her watch told her almost two hours had passed. She sat up and wiped the sleep from her eyes. After a yawn and a few stretches to iron out the kinks, she headed to the bathroom to take a quick shower. She changed into something more suitable for lounging by the lake than her hiking clothes, a pink skirt that showed off her toned legs, and a white-and-pink tank top that showed off her equally toned arms. She made her way to the kitchen and adjoining sunken living room to find Julia there with a girl she assumed to be Jodi.
“Mom, I came straight from training. You knew that. By the time I got to the bakery, it was closed. They close early on Fridays, so I went to a grocery store and picked up a cake.”
“There is no way I can serve that! It’s store-bought.”
“So is a cake from a bakery.”
Reese gently cleared her throat and both women turned to face her. Jodi’s deep blue eyes widened while Julia threw on a smile she hadn’t been wearing a moment ago.
“Reese, we didn’t wake you, did we?” Julia said, stepping away from her daughter and walking Reese’s way.
“Oh no. I didn’t even realize I’d fallen asleep. You must be Jodi?”
Jodi pushed past her mom and gave Reese a hug. She was at least four inches taller than Reese, with long blond hair pulled back sleekly into a ponytail. A huge grin beamed from her face as she stepped away, her eyes surveying Reese as if she couldn’t believe what she was seeing.
“I am so excited to meet you! When Grady told me you were his neighbor, I was going to start stalking you. Okay, that sounds crazy. Not stalk you, but totally try to meet you. I mean, you and Cam are legends! The greatest of all time.”
“I wouldn’t say that,” Reese said, trying not to blush. She knew she and Cam were good, occasionally even great, but greatest of all time? Many would debate that.
“Beijing? Come on! People still talk about it. That performance…totally hot and totally amazing!”
“Stop crowding our guest,” Julia said with a frown. She then turned to Reese. “I hope you’re hungry. We’ll be eating in about twenty minutes. Grady said you have no dietary restrictions, is that correct?”
“I’ll eat just about anything.”
“Wonderful. Jodi, go find your father and brother and try to round them up.”
“Why don’t I come with you?” Reese suggested. She wasn’t sure she wanted to be alone for another Julia conversation. While she liked Grady’s mom, she could do without another round with her.
Jodi beamed and grabbed Reese’s arm. “Sure. They ‘re probably at the dock. Dad likes to fish, although he hasn’t caught anything in years.”
They stepped onto the deck that had been rearranged since Reese had taken her nap. The umbrella was up on the large patio table, and five place settings had been set. The barbecue was steaming, and Reese’s mouth watered at the smell of roasted potatoes in what must have been garlic. It wasn’t overly hot, and the perfect day for an outdoor dinner. Reese glanced down at the dock and saw Ted still in his chair reading a book, but this time Grady was in the water, swimming against the gentle current.
“I have to ask. Is Cam your boyfriend?”
