Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 80304 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 402(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80304 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 402(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
“Fine. I’m going. We’re all at Deacon and Ramsey’s tonight, well, those of us who have wives that are here at least. Call us if you need us, and we’ll be here to drive everyone home.”
“Thanks, babe. Love you.” Kennedy leans in for a kiss that Declan seems all too happy to provide.
“They do that a lot.” Blakely sighs. “Mommy says that when I fall in love, I’ll want to kiss a handsome man all the time too.”
“Are you corrupting our daughter?” Declan asks his wife.
“Nope.” Kennedy grins, passes Beckham off to Ramsey, and hugs Blakely to her side. “Us Kincaid ladies need to stick together.”
“Oh, and Setty and Greene ladies too, right, Momma?”
“Right, sweetheart. You know you’re too smart for your own good.”
“I know. Miss Crosby Greene tells me I’m smart ’cause I get A’s on my papers.”
“You are very smart,” I reassure her.
“Can Daddy get a hug?” Declan asks his daughter.
“Only if you go, Daddy. No boys allowed.”
Declan chuckles. “A hug and a kiss, and you’ve got a deal.” Blakely keeps her end of the bargain, giving her dad a hug and a kiss. One more peck for Kennedy and one for Beckham, and he’s off.
“Well, Blake, how about we eat first?” Palmer suggests.
“We have to wait.”
“Everyone is here,” Kennedy tells her.
“Nope.” Blake grins and rushes off when there’s a knock at the door.
“Wait for an adult!” every female but me calls out to her.
“Goodness, what a welcome,” an unfamiliar voice filters into the room.
“That’s our mother-in-law, Carol Kincaid,” Palmer tells me.
“Hello, ladies.”
“Aunt Carol, I didn’t know you were coming tonight?”
“I don’t normally, but I thought I could help with the little ones while you all had your girl time with Blakely.”
“Girls’ night is really fun,” Blakely tells her grandma.
“Then let’s get to it.”
The next several hours end up being the best night I’ve had in a really long time. Blakely was the star of the evening, and Remi and Beckham came in as close seconds. There were lots of laughs and being silly, and I can’t help but think that this is the kind of thing I missed when I was growing up. There were no inviting friends over to the foster homes I lived in. Not that I had many to invite over. I kept to myself. This is what I imagine a normal childhood would be like. My heart aches for what I missed, but it’s soaring for Blakely and the other kids who get this kind of love and attention day in and day out.
“Thank you for a fun night,” I tell Kennedy.
“I’m so glad you came. We’ve all exchanged numbers, so you’re a permanent member from here on out,” she tells me.
“Thank you.”
“Crosby, it was a pleasure to meet you,” Carol says, pulling me into a hug. “What are your plans tomorrow late afternoon?”
“Nothing that I can think of. Is there something I can help you with?”
Her eyes sparkle. “As a matter of fact, there is. You can be at my place at five for Sunday dinner.”
“W-What?”
“You heard me. I won’t take no for an answer. I have enough to feed my small army and then some.” She laughs. “We’d love to have you, and I know Blakely will be thrilled.”
“I don’t want to impose on your family time.” Lesson learned. Fake plans or uncertainty until you know what is being asked of you. Rookie mistake. My high from the night of fun has me slipping up.
“You might as well say yes. When she finds out you live next to the twins, she’s just going to have them coerce you into going.”
“Oh. You live next to Mav and Mer?” she asks.
“Right next door.” Alyssa smiles.
“Traitor,” I grumble good-naturedly, making them both smile. “Thank you for the invitation. I’d love to come. What can I bring?”
“Nothing!” is the chorused reply from all the ladies.
“She never lets us bring anything.” Alyssa rolls her eyes and smiles.
“Just you and your appetite. I’ll just tell the boys to stop and pick you up.”
“No. I can drive.”
“Nonsense. Them being your ride ensures they stay out of trouble and make it on time.” She looks at the room. “I’ll see everyone tomorrow. Thank you all. It’s been a great night.”
We all tell her goodbye with another round of hugs, and then Alyssa and I go through the process all over again as we leave as well.
“Thanks for inviting me,” I tell Alyssa once we pull into my driveway.
“It was fun. I’m glad you came. I should warn you since they all have your number, you’re more than likely going to be added to the family group chat.”
“I’m not family.” I’m no one’s family.
She shrugs. “You are now.”
I shake my head and climb out of the car, waving goodbye. I glance over to the twins’ place. The lights are all off. I’m sure they’re out for the night. Making my way inside, I put the now-empty and washed pan away and load the dishwasher before going to bed. I drift off to sleep, thinking of ways to get out of this dinner tomorrow. It’s not that I don’t want to go, but Rushton is sure to be there, and I need to distance myself from him if I’m going to keep turning him down. The more I learn about him and his family makes that task harder and harder.