Kingsley and Mrs. Chargill win, and while they accept their gift bags from Jamie, Mrs. Chargill mumbles, “It worries me that you’re so good at this game.”
Layla lets out a bark of laughter but snorts as she tries to cover it up.
“Candice, take it easy on Kingsley. It’s not like you were a saint when you first met Asher,” Mrs. Cutler teases Mrs. Chargill.
“No need to spill all my secrets,” Mrs. Chargill playfully hushes her friend.
“Oooh. Spill them all,” Miss Sebastian says, scooting forward on her chair. “Let’s all share a secret.”
Mia places her drink down on a table and admits, “Logan taught me how to kiss.”
“We all knew you had the hots for each other long before you got together,” Evie teases Mia.
Kingsley swallows the piece of cake she was chewing, then says, “I have a secret candy stash because Mason eats everything whenever he comes over.”
“The one in your closet?” Layla asks.
“Yep, that one.”
Layla begins to chuckle. “Mason already found it. I saw him helping himself to a Hershey's bar.”
“Damn.” Kingsley looks disgruntled by the news. “I’ll have to hide it in your room.”
“Hell no. Falcon will raid it then.”
Sitting back with a smile playing around my mouth, I think about how lucky I am to be a part of an amazing group of people.Chapter 2LakeWaking up, I turn onto my side and stare at my wife's sleeping face. We’ve been married for nine months, but it still feels like it all happened yesterday.
Lee begins to stir, and when her eyes flutter open, and they focus on me, a sleepy smile spreads over her face.
“Morning.” She stretches before she snuggles closer to me.
Wrapping an arm around her, I return her greeting, then say, “We need to get everything packed before we go to the wedding.”
She lets out a groan and sitting up, she replies, “We can start after breakfast, or your growling stomach will wake the whole neighborhood.”
Grinning, I watch her get up and go to the restroom, then I throw the covers back. I open the curtains and look out over the garden. We moved into our own house a couple of months back. The garden is beginning to look better with all the attention Lee’s been giving it.
Turning away from the window, I grab a shirt and shrug it on as I walk out of our bedroom. Just as I get to the kitchen, there’s a knock at the front door, and when I open it, I’m met with Mason’s grin.
“Has Lee started with breakfast yet?” He walks inside and heads straight for the kitchen.
I shut the door behind him then follow after Mason, who’s already busy preparing coffee.
“I knew getting houses in the same neighborhood would be a mistake,” I grumble as I steal the cup of coffee from Mason before he can take a sip.
Not bothered at all, he just pours another cup, then leaning back against the counter, he teases, “You love seeing me first thing in the morning.”
I finish my coffee then prepare a cup for Lee. “Are you okay with keeping an eye on the house while we’re gone?”
“Of course. I’ll take turns with Falcon.” Mason moves to the living room and flops down on a couch. Seeing him reach for the remote, I take Lee’s coffee to our room.
Lee’s putting her hair up in a ponytail as I place the mug on the dressing table. “One of our kids is already here, hoping to get some breakfast out of you.”
“Falcon?” she asks as she gets up.
“Nope.” I press a kiss to her cheek. “Mason’s first today.” Walking to the ensuite bathroom, I add, “I’ll be out in a minute.”
“Take your time.”
I go through my morning routine, and when I walk back to the kitchen, I spot Falcon sitting next to Mason.
“Layla and Kingsley need to finish school so they can take care of the two of you,” I comment.
Falcon pretends to hear nothing, and asks, “What time is your flight tomorrow?”
“Seven.”
Falcon nods. “We’ll be here at five.”
“I’m going to starve for the next three weeks,” Mason grumbles.
I let out a bark of laughter. “That sounds like a personal problem.”
Falcon chuckles. “We’ve been spoiled with Lee cooking for us.”
Once Lee sets the table, we sit down, and I watch as Falcon and Mason pile the food onto their plates.
Every morning we joke around, but I wouldn’t change a thing. I’m glad our moving out of the campus didn’t change our friendship.
When we’re done eating, Mason loads the dishwasher, and we have a last cup of coffee and talk about our upcoming trip before Falcon packs the clean dishes away.
They’re just about to head out when Mason asks, “Am I the only one who noticed that Lake doesn’t do shit? Lee makes breakfast, and Falcon and I do the dishes.”
When everyone looks at me, I grin. “I go hunting for all the food you eat.”