She nodded again.
He picked up the chocolate and lowered his hand under the table. Grace’s fingers touched his, and he dropped it into her palm. She then put it in her mouth so fast, if he hadn’t been watching he wouldn’t have seen it.
“Are you feeding my child chocolate, Nash Winter?” her mother said with that sixth sense some parents had.
“No, ma’am,” he said to Piper.
Grace swallowed. Nash ran a hand over his mouth, so Grace did the same before turning to smile at her mom.
Piper’s eyes went from him to her daughter. Dylan laughed.
“I thought you were like this GAFG,” she said. “And here you are letting a child con you.”
“I’m clueless what you’re talking about, Piper,” Nash said, winking at Grace.
He caught Maggie’s look. It was a bit confused and a bit dazed, and he guessed that was because she didn’t often see him interacting with people and definitely not children.
“What is a GAFG?” Rory asked.
“Put your hand over my daughter’s ears please, Nash,” Piper said.
Nash turned Grace so she was looking at him, then pulled a face that had her giggling as he placed his hands over her ears.
“Grumpy as fuck guy,” Piper said.
“Where’s the H?” Jack asked.
“GAFHG,” Piper mused her eyes on Nash as he let Grace go with a smile. “I suppose he’s hot.”
“Yeah, okay, that’s enough,” Maggie said. “He’s my brother, and I don’t like to think of him as hot.”
“Just me, baby?” Fin looked smug.
“And the Trainers, and—”
Fin put his hand over her mouth while everyone laughed.
This was what having a big group of friends was like. He wasn’t comfortable yet in this environment and wasn’t entirely sure he wanted to be, but maybe his sister and brother were right and he needed to try harder to be more social.
“So, Nash, ready to let us come and help you build your house yet?” Joe Trainer said.
“That’ll be a hard pass,” Maggs said. “He wants to say he hammered in every nail and cut every piece of wood himself.”
“But some stuff you need a hand with?” Jack said. “I mean, it’s how this community thing works, bud. You can bet I’ll be calling on you when I need help.”
Nash didn’t know what to say to that, so he nodded, hoping it covered everything.
“We need to head home now, but before we do, what’s the deal, Mandy? Can I tell Miss Marla and Miss Sarah that I came here and that the brioche and hot chocolate were good? Or do I lie?” Jack said.
“They’re being silly,” Mandy sighed. “Just tell them you enjoyed it if they ask. They’ll get over themselves soon, I’m sure. I hope so anyway.”
“They’ll come around,” Ted said, sliding his arm around her waist.
Couples, Nash thought. Always touching each other.
They left, and Nash decided it was his turn too. He wanted to get home, sit in his chair, and think about what he’d done with Luna. The hell of it was he’d behaved out of character and loved every minute. Maybe because she’d been right there with him?
He rose, then leaned over to kiss Maggs on the cheek and place a hand on Grace’s head.