“Hey there,” she said to Wyatt.
“I was looking for you,” he said. “I guess you just got off of lunch.”
“I did,” she said. People were looking at them and she didn’t care. “I just had a conversation with a woman in your office.”
“Who?” he asked.
His stomach grumbled loudly and she reached into her pocket and pulled out the granola bar she’d grabbed out of the vending machine earlier. “Here. This will hold you over.”
“Thanks,” he said opening it and taking a big bite. She was watching his lips and saw the grin spread. “People are going to start talking if you keep looking at me that way.”
She shook her head. “Sorry. You’re kind of cute.”
He started to laugh, drawing more eyes to them. “Kind of?” he said in a lower voice.
She looked down at her computer when it beeped. “Fishing for compliments.”
“Just trying to find out about your lunch date with someone else,” he said.
“Oh yeah. Stephanie. She said she works in your office. She wanted to apologize to me about her part in any rumors or gossip. I guess she is upset you aren’t being friendly with her.”
He laughed some more. “It wasn’t on purpose as much as I’m just trying to keep to myself. I don’t want to do anything to get into another fight with my girlfriend.”
That was twice now the word was used in reference to her. She liked it coming out of his mouth. “I know how to handle my boyfriend.”
“Do you now?” he asked. “Man, is there a crowd over my shoulder? It feels like there are a lot of eyes on my back.”
“There is. All women. Except for Sam that just joined them. He’s coming this way.”
“Great. Let’s see what he has to say,” he said.
“He’s heard some of this conversation, I can tell by the look in his eyes.”’
“Hey, you two,” Sam said, putting his hand on her shoulder. “When are you leaving for Charlotte this weekend? After work on Friday or Saturday morning?”
“After work tomorrow,” Wyatt said. “How about you and Dani?”
She was going to meet the Five and their spouses for a summer picnic. She and Wyatt, Noah, Paige, Sebastian, Drake and Kara were all staying with Cade at his new house since he had four spare bedrooms. Jade was staying with Aiden and Nic to get her baby fix. She hadn’t heard about the rest of them.
“We’re going Saturday morning with Bryce and Payton. Ryder might be bumming a ride with one of you guys tomorrow night as he talked about going early.”
“I’m sure he’ll end up with Drake,” Wyatt said. “He’ll ask him last minute before they leave so that Drake won’t have time to say no.”
Sam grinned. “I’m sure. Anyway, see you guys there.”
When Sam walked away, she asked, “What was that about?”
“Him giving the family stamp of approval in front of everyone. Is the crowd breaking up now?”
“They actually are.”
“Welcome to the family, Adriana. You can’t run now. Sam just made it very clear it’s not a passing thing with us.”
She felt her face flush. “Good thing I like you and your family.”
He smirked and walked away and she had a feeling she might have just been tag teamed by Wyatt and Sam.
35
Wouldn’t Dare
“Don’t be nervous,” Wyatt said to her when they pulled into Cade’s driveway.
“Oh my God, this house is huge.”
“Yeah. Cade is pretty flashy, but Alex isn’t.”
“Your family is wealthy, aren’t they? I guess I never thought much of it. You all seem so normal.”
He shook his head but didn’t get out of the car. “We are normal. Wealth is relative. The Five, well, they are in a league of their own now. When Mason opened up the brewery seven years ago, things just took off. They sell millions a month I’m sure. Hell, they probably sell millions a week. I don’t know and never asked. It’s not my business. The restaurant and pub are packed. Aiden has a line of spices he is marketing soon. It’s just a massive business and those Five put a lot of time into it. More than I work.”
“I’m almost afraid to meet them. I’m nothing.”
“Please,” he said. “You’ve met my family. You’ve met the women they are all marrying. Everyone of us is every day average people.”
She started to laugh. “I’m not sure there is anything average about the Fierce family. Genetically you’re all blessed and you’re finding spouses that are equally so. Your family just wants to continue to pass along those genes.” The front door opened. “Holy shit. Is that Cade’s wife? I know what the Five look like, I’ve seen them on their site,” she whispered.
“Yes. That’s Alex. She owns Marshall printing that does all the print and marketing for the family business. She does it for my father and uncle’s firm too.”
“She’s stunning.”
“She is. And she’s very nice and sweet.”
They got out of the car and he walked up to give Alex a hug and kiss. “Wyatt. So glad you could come. If I find anything out of place or pranked you aren’t allowed in my house again.”
He laughed. “Cade will do it to just blame me.”
“I’ve already lectured him too. You are both to be on your best behavior. And you must be Adriana. You poor child. Wyatt is just like Cade.”
“I’m insulted,” he said. “Cade is a lot worse than me and the family would confirm that.”
“I am,” Cade said, pushing the door open wider. “Come in. No one can best me. Not even you, Wyatt. Nice to meet you, Adriana. Where are the rest of them?”
“On the way. We got an earlier start. Ryder held up Drake and Kara and they are dropping him off at the bar. He’s going to Brody’s after and staying there.”
Cade’s eyes lit up. “Oh boy. He’ll never want kids then. Whose idea was that? Between Sidney running around and Evan not sleeping.”
“I think Uncle Grant suggested it,” he said.
“He must want to
