“Looks like the board games have begun,” she says. We head back outside and the deck is lit with Chinese lanterns, creating a cozy atmosphere. The kids are all in bed at this hour, and the adults are sitting around the table with their favorite drinks.
“How was the shopping?” Amanda asks when she sees the bags in our hands.
“Good,” I say. “I got some swim trunks and a T-shirt for both me and my daughter. I also got her a seashell necklace that Gemma thought she’d love.”
Amanda’s jaw drops. “You have a daughter?”
I stiffen for a second. Is Gemma dating a man with a child going to be a problem for them? Not that we’re really dating, I remind myself. I almost forget there for a second that it wasn’t real.
“He does,” Gemma says. “Kaitlyn, she’s six, and goes to my school.” She smiles up at me. “And I’m going to be teaching her piano.”
Amanda glares at me and plants one hand on her hip. “Why didn’t you bring her? I would love to meet her and she could have played with the kids.”
“You’re right. I should have. But this is the week she spends with her grandparents. They’ve been looking forward to it.”
Amanda relaxes. “Okay, you’re off the hook.” She points a finger. “Next time, though.”
I laugh and hold my hands up in surrender. “Yup, next time,” I say, although I doubt there will be one. I just hope Brad eventually gets the message and backs off.
“Can I see what you got her?” Janice asks.
“Oh Mom, its adorable. She’s going to love it.” Gemma takes the bag from me and opens it. As the women all admire the delicate piece of jewelry, David catches my eye.
“Scotch?” he asks holding his glass up.
“Love one,” I say.
“Come give me a hand,” he says, and we head inside to the bar. I drop the rest of my bags on the kitchen counter.
“Ice?” David asks, and when I hear the remnants of his tinkling in his glass, I say, “Sure,” and wonder what this is all about. Am I going to get the big brother ‘talk’? If so, I’m wondering if he ever gave it to Brad.
“Amanda told me she remembers you from when you and Gemma went to high school together.” I nod as he hands me my glass.
“Yeah, we’re old friends.”
“I’m glad you’re here, Callan.”
I angle my head and take a sip from my glass. “Why is that?”
“I never liked that asshole Brad. I could never put my finger on it, but he always rubbed me the wrong way.”
Gemma never told anyone about his behavior, but clearly a few members of the household are intuitive. “You don’t have to worry about him, David,” I say.
He nods, and holds his glass up to mine. “Glad to hear it.”
We clink glasses and are about to head back outside when Gemma steps inside. Her gaze goes back and forth between the two of us. “David, you better not be giving him a hard time,” she says but there is a teasing, loving warmth between the two. He rubs his knuckles on her head and she swats his hand away.
“Just getting to know your new guy, that’s all.”
“Did Amanda put you up to this?”
He shakes his head like she might be crazy. “Of course she did,” he says and the two burst out laughing. He shrugs. “Big sisters.”
Gemma huffs out an exasperated breath. “You don’t always have to do what she says, you know.”
He blinks once, twice, his mouth agape. “Ah, did you just meet her? Are you new here?”
“Okay, okay,” Gemma says and as they laugh again, my heart pinches. My daughter has a lot of people in her life, but there is no doubt she’d love it here. Gemma grabs a bottle of wine and a glass. “Let’s go have some fun playing Cards Against Humanity.”
We head back outside, and I sit down next to Adam, who is Nicole’s husband. He’s the strong, silent type, but I like him. In fact, I like all these people.
“Is everything ready for the race tomorrow?” Nicole asks. She glances at the sky. “I think we’re going to get some sprinkles.”
“Rain or shine, you know how it goes,” Janice says. “I finished making the cards this evening after dinner.”
“What kind of race?” I ask as Gemma shuffles the cards.
“Ooh, we have a rookie,” Amanda says loudly. She rubs her hands together and glances at David. “No way can a rookie beat five-time champions.”
“Sounds like a challenge,” I say. “I’m always up for a challenge.”
Amanda grins at me. “It’s on Callan.”
Gemma nudges me. “Mom and Dad put together a list of challenges, like the show Amazing Race, and we all compete. It’s super fun, but I think Amanda and David cheat.” She snarls at her sister and brother in law. “They win every year.”
“We do not cheat,” Amanda says, all indignant, and everyone laughs and rolls their eyes.
“You might think Callan here is a rookie, but you’re forgetting what he does for a living,” Gemma says, coming to my defense. “The man runs into burning buildings. I’m sure he can find a seashell on the sand.”
“Okay, want to make a side bet?” Amanda says.
I lean toward her. “Go ahead.”
She taps her chin. “If we win, you take us to dinner back in the city. If you win, we take you.”
Gemma gives
