Maddie jiggles the small bundle of yellow. “Can you say hi to Uncle Charlie?”
Lily’s bottom lip trembles before she lets out an ear-piercing scream. “No!”
I chuckle. “I’m still public enemy number one, huh?”
Maddie laughs. “It’s almost time for bed.”
“No!” Lily screams again.
I chuck the baby under the chin. “Now you be sure to remember that word when you’re older.”
“No. No. No. No.” She babbles before putting her fist in her mouth.
I pat her head. “Good girl.”
All of a sudden, there’s coughing, and my attention snaps up to see Jessica choking on her wine. Harmony’s patting her on the back as she sputters out, “Wrong pipe.”
I slide a glance at Mitch, who cocks a brow and grins.
Luckily, Gracie walks out, saving any more awkwardness. I head to the cooler and grab myself a beer, then sit down at the table opposite Jessica.
Gracie passes out shot glasses.
Unable to help it, I meet Jessica’s gaze and smirk, because I sure as hell know why she swallowed wrong.
But unlike the rest of this week, she doesn’t shy away. Instead, she smirks back, tipping her glass in my direction.
Gracie hands out shots, and when we each have one, she raises hers in the air. “Okay, I think we can all agree it’s time to let off some steam, so I’m invoking vault rules.”
Jessica nibbles on her lower lip. “What are vault rules?”
Gracie beams at her. “It means anything goes, and no one is allowed to talk about it.”
“That includes brothers and bosses, right?” Jessica asks.
Gracie giggles, leaning against James, who slides his arm around her hips. “The rule is made especially for them.”
“Fabulous.” Her eyes meet mine.
Sam scrubs a hand over his blond-stubbled jaw. “Does that mean I have to leave?”
James lifts his shot in the air. “You’ve already seen too much.”
Sam laughs. “And heard too much.”
Jessica’s gaze collides with mine.
There’s no one to watch us.
Well, that’s not true. They are watching, but as my core, long-term friends, they understand I’m not a fan of being on display.
Once upon a time, it was just Gracie, Sam, Mitch, and me.
I have their loyalty, and they have my trust.
Everyone clinks their glass in the center of the table, and we all drink.
Suddenly, I’m feeling much better.