“Right back at you.” Serena runs her hand down my tie, lower still before biting down a smile. “So, Eli, are we good to go?”
“All set. Hollow Brook Hot Honeys is ready for its trial run.”
“Perfect.” Serena’s entire person glows at the thought. “I’ll get the word out asap, and by the time fall semester begins in a week, we should be on fire. How much do I owe you?”
Eli glances my way a moment, and I get the feeling he wishes I weren’t privy to this conversation. “I was thinking since I put so much effort into it, and it’s going to need constant upkeep, that maybe we can split the profits.”
“I would think twice,” I’m quick to interject. “And I’m strictly speaking as her attorney.” I tick my head toward him. “And yours.”
Serena’s jaw is on the floor. “I just thought twice. Yes. You’re right, Eli. You’ve done basically everything, and it’s going to need a heck of a lot more help than I can give it. Partners?” She holds out a hand, and Eli shakes it.
“Partners.” He slaps me over the back. “I’ll be in the poolroom if either of you needs me.”
“Great”—Serena steps in close to him—“Harley will be here in a bit with Colby, so if you see her, try to go out of your way to be nice. She has a sudden aversion to your kind, and it’s not boding well for any of the males that get in her way.”
Eli looks as if she just asked him to eat the head of a live fish. “Harley has a natural aversion to me. I’m probably the one person who should voluntarily stay away.” He shoots us with his finger. “Have a great night,” he says as he disintegrates into the crowd.
Serena wraps her arms around me, still staring off in his direction. “Why do I get the feeling Eli has an aversion to Harley?”
“Eli? I doubt he feels that way about anybody. He’s one of the nicest people I know. Unless, of course, he’s got a thing for her.”
“Eli has a thing for Harley?” Serena’s cherry red lips round out, and about a dozen dirty thoughts crop up at once.
“Stranger things have happened.” I give her waist a quick squeeze and nod to our families who seem to be having a great time all on their own. “You ready to do this thing?” I lean in and take in the scent of her warm skin, sugar and cinnamon.
“I’m in, Collins. Stay strong. And remember, if you find yourself staring down the barrel of a gun, don’t be afraid to tip a table or two on your way out the door.” She tucks a quick kiss under my ear. “Don’t worry, I’ll hunt you down at your place and make you mine.”
“That’s what I’m hoping.”
We head to the table, and a small round of applause breaks out.
“What’s this?” Serena nearly falls against me, floored by the spontaneous ovation.
Sunday clears her throat. “We just wanted to show our gratitude to the two of you for going above and beyond the call of duty and taking amurdereroff the streets.”
Lex winks up at us. “I feel safer already.”
Marlin growls, “But next time, leave the dirty work to the police.”
“There won’t be a next time.” I’m still so relieved Serena is safe, I drop a kiss over the top of her head without thinking, and just like that, everyone at the table freezes.
Serena shrugs. “The rumors are true. Shep and I are together.”
“As in a couple.” I look to my parents who look mildly amused. My mother gives a playful tip of the head, but my father somewhat glares at me as if to saydon’t fuck it up. It’s exactly what he tells his team as we’re about to head to court. And I won’t.
A strange groan comes from Marlin, and it inspires Seth to scoot his chest a few inches over as if he was expecting him to barf and he might.
“Serena”—Marlin says her name stern as he stares us down—“if this guy even thinks about making you cry, just drop me a line.” He glowers at me a moment. “Same goes for you. My sister can be a real pistol.”
“Marlin!” Serena shouts as the table breaks out into laughter.
Dinner goes off without gunfire or the need to tip over a single table. Instead, Axel stands and lifts his glass, inspiring us to do the same. “I realize we’re at the end of our feast, but I wanted to say a few quick words. First, congratulations to Misty and Nolan on your pink bundle on the way. We’re all ecstatic for you. Christmas can’t get here soon enough. And congratulations once again to Sunday and Seth who in a few short weeks will welcome their little one.” He turns to me. “And I do believe congratulations are in order for Shep, my little brother, for finding someone brave enough to tolerate him. Serena, my parents and I have nothing but the utmost respect for the courage and fortitude you seem to have in abundance.” A quick round of chuckles skirts the table on my behalf. “And if you don’t mind me stealing a part of your night”—he tips his head my way—“Lex and I have some news of our own we’d like to share.” He gently prods her to her feet, and Lex bears a tight smile for less than three seconds. She’s still a hell of a lot more personable than she started off. I’ll give her that.
Serena gasps and covers her mouth before my brother gets another word out.
Axel looks to Lex with nothing but love and adoration in his eyes. “We’re expanding. There will be one more member of the Collins family come next spring.”
The table erupts in cheers as everyone stands to their feet. Serena and Sunday are the first to collapse over Lex with a firm embrace. I head over to my brother and pull him in.
