“He said it first!” She points straight to Cas with a smirk.
“Then you watch your mouth too.” Cas is treated to an affectionate arm smack and a smile.
“Cas, this is Mary Eunice. Ma’am, this is my husband, Cas.”
Cas’s eyebrows shoot up. “You’re in the competition?”
“You bet your boots I am. I’m not as strong as I used to be, but I have fun giving them a little scare.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“You’d better get in the lineup,” I tell Cas. “They’re already prepping.”
Sam is yelling out more rules. “No blood in the oyster or you’re disqualified!”
“Jesus,” Cas murmurs.
“Told you.”
But he squares his shoulders and takes a spot next to Grayson, who claps him on the shoulder.
“Try to keep up with me, Cas.”
There’s good natured smack talk and nudging going on as the oysters are brought out. I look up at the house, seeking Caroline. I know she’ll want to see this.
“So, uh, what’s going on with you?” Camille asks, flicking her tongue over a piece of melon. “You and Caro seemveryclose.”
“It’s great to see her again,” I agree, striving for casual.
This was what Cas and I were trying to avoid—the Honeysuckle Harbor rumor mill. But it seems it is turning already.
“No one cares, you know. Ford and Harrison paved the way for you when they brought Ivy and Liam here from L.A. This crowd is a ‘you-do-you-boo’ crowd, you know that.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Okay. Don’t share the juicy bits with me then.”
“Where are Ivy and Liam? I was hoping to see them.” I do want to say hi but I no longer remember to who when I see Caro pop out of the twins’ house, Evelyn on her hip, a big smile on her face.
She’s wearing a sundress today and her skin is glowing, and her eyes are bright. She has the look of a woman who has been fucked regularly by three men. I could drink in the sight of her all damn day.
She also looks good with a baby.
Grayson’s baby.
That thought makes my chest tighten.
I wave to her. “Come on, before you miss all the shucking fun.”
Caroline laughs. “Shucking fun? I definitely don’t want to miss that!” she calls back.
My mother doesn’t come out of the house but it doesn’t worry me. She’s very fond of air conditioning and it probably isn’t a bad thing for Noah to be inside for a bit. I appreciate how much help my parents have been to me and Cas since we moved here.
Though I’m a little surprised my father isn’t in the oyster contest. Glancing around, I see he’s helping build the bonfire for later. If there’s a fence to paint, a grill to clean, or a pile of wood to stack, he’s always on it.
Caro comes up between me and Camille and leans briefly against my shoulder. “Who should I root for? I’m thinking I should cheer on Fiona.”
“Girl power!” Camille says. “I’m familially obligated to root for my grandmother.”
