“Very true. And his sister and niece are super sweet. I honestly wished Annie lived here because you two would love her so much. She’d totally be a part of our girl gang. Also, Sadie is the cutest kid. She’s only five but way too smart for her own good.”
Katie laughs. “Most kids are. Owen is like that too. The things they can do online amazes me.”
“How is my favorite little man doing? ” I ask.
“Apparently, he really does have a girlfriend. Like what the hell? I’m too young to worry about him dating already.”
“I heard Owen say Noah knew. Was that true?” Gemma asks.
“Yes, and apparently, Noah’s been giving him pointers on how to treat girls.” She groans. “ Noah acts like he was some ladies’ man or something, when it took him a decade to confess his undying love to me.”
We giggle and chat, and it’s exactly what I needed today. When our food arrives, Gemma changes the subject.
“So, how’ve you been feeling lately? Still sore and achy?”
“Mostly back to normal. I have a wicked battle wound, something I’ll have to share with my future kids. Like, don’t mess with your mom, she got stabbed and lived to tell the tale. Took a knife right to the gut.”
Gemma snorts. “Oh my God. That’s terrible, but it does make you sound like a badass, though.”
“’Cause I am.” I take my keychain off my purse and flick open the small key knife.
Katie grins. “Well, if the boutique doesn’t work out for you, maybe you should teach self-defense for women at the gym.”
“Nah, I’d probably make more money stripping. Apparently, I have really nice tits,” I whisper, giving Katie a wink.
“It’s the shock value for me,” Gemma says. “I honestly never know what’s going to come out of your mouth.”
“And trust me when I say I love keeping you on your toes. But anyway, enough about me, how’s the wedding planning going?”
Katie beams as she gushes. “It’s stressful but exciting all at the same time. We picked out the cake and flowers. Finally have the invitations, which means I’ll be busy sending those soon. And we also booked the Magnolia Springs Bed and Breakfast for the wedding night. My mom is over the moon excited.”
“I bet she is,” Gemma says. “I can’t wait. I’m so happy for you two to finally tie the knot. I mean, you’re already practically married, but still. It’s gonna be a gorgeous day.”
“No, we basically are at this point,” Katie agrees. “We go back and forth about what to eat for dinner almost every single night. When neither of us can decide, we make Owen pick. If that’s not marriage, I don’t know what is.”
I chuckle, taking a bite of my sandwich.
“I love him, though. I feel like I’m finally living the life I always dreamed of having. Noah’s such a wonderful dad to Owen and the twins. All four of us are so damn lucky.”
“You really are,” I say. “You both are living a fairy tale.”
“You are too,” Katie says, and Gemma agrees.
“Not gonna lie, though, the chase in the beginning is the best part. The random sex in the back of the car, on the counter, in the shower, and—”
“Okay, that’s enough,” I interrupt. “Don’t want to hear about my brother’s sexcapades.” I pretend to throw up in my mouth and change the topic. “So how’s my sweet little niece?”
“Scarlett’s getting big. She crawls everywhere and babbles all day long. I have a feeling that when she can speak full sentences, she’s going to talk my ear off. Pretty sure she got the same Blackwood gene as you, Ev.”
My head falls back in a roar of laughter. “Even I wouldn’t wish that upon you. But if that’s the case, I’ll say a prayer for you ’cause that girl is gonna be a handful.”
Gemma sighs. “Tyler will literally blow a gasket if she puts him through half the things you did.”
“She could be worse than Everleigh,” Katie says. “She has Blackwood and Reid genes.”
“Oh hell no,” Gemma mutters, shaking her head.
“Better start making her a brother or sister now,” I suggest. “She’ll need someone to keep her straight or be the older sibling to bail the younger one out. No telling what trouble I would’ve gotten into without Tyler hounding me.”
“You mean, how much more trouble you would’ve gotten into?” Gemma mocks.
“True story,” I say.
“It’s times like this that I’m glad I have all boys,” Katie teases, sipping her drink. “I could’ve had a mini Everleigh, and Lord help all of us if that happened.”
“You still can.” I waggle my brows.
When we’re done eating, Gemma snatches up the check. Katie protests, but I know it’s a losing battle, so I don’t even try to argue.
“Thanks, babe,” I say after she pays. When we stand, I give them both hugs. “Can we do this again soon?”