They argued all the way to Jed and Shannon’s, and though Cass hated to admit it to herself, she loved debating with Mack. Her last boyfriend hadn’t realized that discussing topics and not agreeing on everything was okay. It didn’t mean she’d liked him any less. Though the fact he thought she had to like everything he said and did had caused her to sour faster on the relationship.
Mack, though, gave as good as he got. She didn’t worry she’d offend him if she hated what he thought. Or if she blatantly argued just to argue.
“You’re so wrong about so much,” he said cheerily as she parked. “It’s a good thing you’re pretty.”
“Screw you.”
“Yes, such a way with words.”
She laughed after giving him a light sock on the arm. Before she could get out of the car, he yanked her to him and kissed the breath out of her.
“There. I win.” He sprung from the car like he’d been sitting on coils. “Grab the drinks, would you?”
She joined him at the door, fuming. “That was cheap.” And way too good. She hadn’t wanted that kiss to end.
“Cheap but effective.”
She glared.
“You’re just mad you didn’t get the last word. And you wouldn’t want to anyway.”
“Why not?”
“Because you were wrong. Have you ever been to Germany, woman?”
“Woman?”
“They make real beer there. Lagers and weizens—wheat beers—and ales. The stuff of champions!” He lifted his fist in the air. “Champions, I say!”
Jed opened the door, stared from Mack to Cass and back again, and rolled his eyes. “I can tell it’s gonna be that kind of night.” He grabbed the bags from Cass and yelled over his shoulder, “Shannon, they’re here.”
Behind Jed, the twins stood staring at her and Mack.
Cass greeted them with a smile. “Hey Lucifer. Azazel.”
Mack blinked.
Jed glared at Cass and said to Mack, “My kids, Mike and Sam.”
Both dark-haired and dark-eyed, eight-year-old Michael and Samantha looked and acted a lot like Shannon. Beautiful children hiding imps inside.
“Hi.” Sam smiled shyly at Mack. “I’m older than Mike.”
Mike turned to her with a frown. “We’re twins. She just came out of Mom’s vagina first.”
“Mike!” Cass tried not to laugh.
Jed nudged them back. “Go bug your mom, you two.”
Mack coughed, hiding a grin from Jed, but Cass saw it.
Jed sighed. “Well, you’ve met the twins. My wife’s in the kitchen.”
“Barefoot and pregnant?” Cass asked with a perky smile.
“And fuck you too,” Jed said under his breath, to which Mack did laugh. Loudly.
“We’re done having kids,” Jed said. “The twins scared us straight. I mean, we love them so much we can’t imagine having anything to take our attention from our heavenly little angels.”
