“I did?”
“Yeah. Anyone who can kick Oliver’s ass, tends to get Abel’s respect.”
“Oliver’s not that bad.” She couldn’t believe that she was actually defending him. It was so unlike her. “My life has changed so much.”
“And it will continue to change. Being a Denton, you’re part of us, and Charlotte, she’s a hard woman to deny,” Harper said.
Ruby chuckled. “I can see that. She’s nice though.”
“Yes, Charlotte is nice. She kicks ass as well,” Lou said.
“She does?”
“Not actual ass kicking. Charlotte can make those men do anything she wants with a stern look. I’ve been getting her to teach me,” Lou said.
“And me. We need all the help we can get with the Denton men, and I’m not afraid to admit that I’m totally out of my depth,” Harper said.
Ruby drained the pasta and added it to the big pot of sauce. Giving it a stir, she served them out a portion. Betty came out of the bathroom to join them.
“Sorry to have put a downer on the day.”
“You didn’t,” Ruby said, hoping to reassure her. Betty was so sweet, so nice, and Ruby hoped with time they could all be friends.
They took their food to th
e table, and minutes later, the door opened, and she heard the men entering. She watched as Oliver took the lead, followed by Jacob, Abel, Damian, and Gideon.
“Something smells good,” Jacob said.
“Ruby cooked, and no before you ask, it’s not contaminated with poison.” Lou spun to her. “Is it?”
“Of course not. I would never take out a pregnant woman.” Ruby smiled watching the two couples. Jacob and Lou had been together the longest, and their love showed so strongly. Harper was still a little embarrassed but still couldn’t deny Abel her lips and affection.
“You had a good morning?” Oliver asked.
“It has been good. I like Lou and Harper, and Betty.” She rested against his chest, wondering if he still felt anything for her.
Don’t become needy.
“Did you have a good morning?” she asked, looking up at him.
“I did.”
“Do you have any news on the person responsible?” she asked. After looking through all of Lionel’s paperwork, she’d been annoyed to see that it was actually in some kind of code. She had a date with Lewis, and she hoped her friend could make some kind of sense of her brother’s notes.
Clearly, Lionel was worried about getting caught. She had to wonder who the person was.
“We’re still looking into everything. Do you know anything on the Coltons?” he asked.
“Not yet. I’m waiting to hear more from my contact. I should know something soon.”
Oliver nodded. He reached out and ran his thumb across the corner of her mouth. “You’ve got a little sauce there.”
Her cheeks heated, and her nipples hardened. She couldn’t deny her reaction to him, and she didn’t want him to stop. She wanted his hands on her.
Looking down the table, she saw no one was paying her any attention, and for that she was thankful.
Oliver took a seat beside her.