Del held up a hand, and the garage quieted. With her mechanics stood her husband Mike and his son Colin, who’d stopped by the garage to pick her up. “That was Lou. Odds just went up Heller bites it before V-Day.”
The guys started reconsidering their bets, and Colin scribbled down their new dates on the betting board J.T. had set up months ago.
Mike kissed her on the cheek and rubbed her back. “I hope you put us down for double or nothing on February 17th.”
“Why that date?”
“Because we know Heller’s a guy. He can’t possibly live up to your cousin’s ideal of romance. So he’ll screw up on Valentine’s Day. I’m giving him three days to get his act together and make things right.”
“You think he’s going to win her over?” Del had her doubts. Though she secretly liked Axel, and she loved him pounding the crap out of the guys who’d bothered her cousin, she didn’t know if he had it in him to be what Rena needed.
Mike smiled at her and put a hand over her belly. “I saw him at Rena’s going-away party. He’s got it bad for your cute cousin. And she didn’t look at him just as much as he didn’t look at her.”
“Huh?”
“Trust me. I know things. We McCauleys are good about falling in love.”
“You’re kidding, right? Took you long enough to find me.”
He laughed. “But that’s because I had to find a whip and chains first so I could keep you in line. And speaking of which, tonight’s date night. Colin has a sleepover. So don’t wear panties to bed.”
She blushed; she couldn’t help it.
Colin looked over, saw them hugging, and gagged. “Ech. Kissing is so gross.”
“You got that right.” Foley crossed his eyes, and Colin laughed. “But while we’re talking about kissing, put me down for first kiss in public on the 27th.” Foley handed Colin a five-dollar bill. “Closest to that date without going past it wins the smaller pot.”
Colin nodded. “No cheating, Sam.”
Sam scowled. “Del, what are you telling this kid about me?”
Colin held his own. “It was Johnny, Sam. He told me to look out for you. But not when it came to darts, because he said you suck at darts.”
Sam took off after Johnny, who laughed and ran down the hallway shouting, “The boy lies. But not about the darts.”
Foley leaned closer and handed Colin a bill the kid pocketed. Foley whispered something, and Colin nodded and wrote another date on the calendar.
Del sighed. “I am so proud of that little scammer.”
“Of Johnny for messing with Sam’s head?” Mike asked.
“No, of Colin for taking Foley’s money. I guarantee that kid gets Rena some insider information that changes a few dates on the board.”
Mike frowned. “Guess I’d better put my money down now then. And remind my mini-me that if he doesn’t help out his daddy in the pool, he’s got some early bedtimes coming his way.”
“Good move, Mike.” Del grinned. She thought it so cute that she was slowly corrupting her rule-abiding husband. Those goody-goody McCauleys had no idea how much their world needed Del in the mix. Mike liked to tell her she wasn’t as bad as she thought she was, and he sure the hell wasn’t as good. Especially when it came to being naughty between the sheets.
Thanking whatever stars had aligned to give her this wonderful life with people she loved, she shared a thumbs-up with the devious little schemer hunched over the betting board.
And Colin too, of course.
* * *
Rena hadn’t known how to dress for her date with Axel. But she figured she couldn’t go wrong in a form-fitting red sweater, black tea-length skirt, and knee-high leather boots. She felt feminine yet tough, a no-nonsense woman ready to meet a man who made her insides flutter.
With excitement or nerves, she didn’t yet know. Memories of that kiss they’d shared resurfaced, as did the notion her time of the month had ended. She technically had no reason to discourage some heavy petting should the date go well.
She flushed, wishing she could stop thinking about sex for two seconds, but Axel’s image had been ingrained in her brain, and the big, sexy man turned her on. Plus, that rose, that note. Handsome was one thing, but handsomeandromantic? She felt like a swoony maiden in a romance novel. She wondered if her favorite author would consider writing a Viking romance in the future.
