“Oh my God, please stop!” Lauren’s cheeks turn as red as a tomato.
“I’ll stop if you stop,” I comment back with my eyes wide.
“Fine, fine.” She holds up her hands in defeat and turns back to the table beside her, adjusting the plastic tablecloth. “Some days, you’re worse than my students.”
I pretend to wear a formal ball gown and curtsy. “Thank you. I’ll take that as a compliment. Now, let’s get back to setting up before the mom-to-be arrives.”
“Thank you, girls, so much for hosting this shower,” Dani’s mom, Kelly, says, interrupting us.
She sets a tray down on the table. I look down and see the largest charcuterie board I’ve ever seen, and the assortment of meats and cheeses literally has my mouth watering.
“Of course.” Lauren gives her a side hug. “Dani is one of us—there’s no way we wouldn’t.”
“I’m thankful she has you both. I know those drives are getting hard on the girls at this stage in their pregnancy, so I’m glad we could host it here instead of my house.” Dani’s and Haylee’s parents both live in Annapolis, which is about a two-hour drive from here.
I can’t imagine what they’re both going through, especially with Dani carrying two babies. She mentioned the other day that Ky had to paint her toenails because she hadn’t been able to see her feet in a while. But I’m pretty sure all the back pain, heartburn, and constant potty breaks are all worth it in the end when you get to hold a little bundle of joy that you created.
Kelly turns to me. “So, Kate, what’s new in your life? Any new men?”
Lauren snorts, and when I turn to glare at her, she pretends to focus on something in front of her. I’ve got your number, Lauren Reynolds.
I huff out an annoyed breath but ignore my sister and turn back to the conversation. “Not any recently, Kelly. You know I’m still holding out hope for me and your son.” I can’t even say the words with a straight face. Over the years, it’s become a running joke about my love for Zach. I look at him only like a brother, but it’s always fun to tease. When he and my brother first became friends in college, he was single and the biggest flirt around. Once things changed for him and Haylee, there’s only one other girl that holds his attention besides her, and that’s his daughter.
“Well, good luck with that, dear,” she jokes before her eyes widen and jaw drops.
I follow her focus to the front door, where Jaxon just walked in, holding Andy in his arms. A scowl forms on my face. What is he doing here?
“Why, hello handsome, and who might that be?” Kelly mutters. She has no shame in eyeing him up and down. It’s hard not to when every shirt in his wardrobe clings to him like they were tailor-made for his body.
I swat at her arm. “You are a married woman, missy.”
“I might be married, but I’m not blind. A friend of yours?” Her gaze goes back to him.
I scoff. “Hardly.”
“Hmm,” she harrumphs. “Could have fooled me by the way he can’t take his eyes off you since he walked in.”
“What?” I snap my gaze to his, only to find him talking with my mom, and his eyes are on her, not me.
Kelly and Lauren snicker, and I realize I fell for their trap.
“You all set, babe? Need anything else while you have big, strong men around?” Finn says as he approaches and wraps his arms around Lauren from behind.
“I think we’re all set.”
“Great.” He kisses her quickly. “I’m fleeing this estrogen-crazed house before I’m forced to turn in my man card.”
Many pairs of eyes narrow at him, and Finn blows a whistle. “I mean…” He trails off and grips the back of his neck. Oooh, I’m going to enjoy watching him squirm. “Umm, yeah, I’m just going to go now before I need a shovel to dig myself out of this hole.” He chuckles.
“Yeah, that’s probably a good thing.” Lauren caresses his cheek before lightly tapping it. She turns to Jaxon. “Be sure to keep my husband in line, please.”
He laughs, and I hate that it sends butterflies to my stomach. “Sorry, Lauren. I can’t make any promises about that. You ladies enjoy your day.” He gives everyone a panty-melting smile—like yep, poof! My panties just burst into flames.
From the corner of my eye, I see Kelly watching me watching him as they walk out the front door.
“Uh-huh,” she mumbles.
“What?” I shriek, my voice an octave higher than normal. I clear my throat.
“Nothing. It’s nothing. He just seems very nice, that’s all.” She smiles and pats my shoulders before heading off to the kitchen.
Am I seriously the only one who knows Jaxon McAdams is a wolf in sheep’s clothing?