Mack shut the door behind them and followed Cass and Jed into the kitchen. “How old are they?”
“Eight going on forty,” Cass answered as the twins darted away and disappeared somewhere in the house. “Sam was my favorite last time I was over, but Mike whipping out ‘vagina’ in front of company? He’s my new little darling.”
“I hope you brought alcohol,” Jed muttered. He looked inside the bags and smiled. “Oh, nice. Thanks, Mack.”
Cass frowned. “Maybe I brought them.”
Jed raised a brow. “The wine isn’t sparkling or flavored with wild strawberry. And the beer is…” He peered inside the bag with the beer and smiled. “Sweet.”
Mack shook his head. “She wanted to bring Bud Light.”
“Oh, Cass.”
Shannon joined them, the petite beauty beaming. “You must be Mack. Jed has told me all about you.”
Mack shot Jed a look but smiled. “A pleasure to meet you. You’re so much prettier and nicer than Cass said you’d be.”
Shannon shot Cass her infamous death glare. Jed snickered. Shannon cleared her throat and said, “Mack. You’re just as handsome in person as you are on all those posters.”
Ha. That wiped the smile off Jed’s face.
Mack ignored him, took Shannon’s hand, and kissed the back of it. “Ah, a woman with taste.” He gave Jed a once-over. “I take it you were drunk when you married him?”
She laughed while Jed stood to his full height and glowered.
Mack snorted, clearly amused. “Oh, relax, big guy. I’m just messing with you. I thought you’d have a sense of humor. I mean, Cassisyour partner, isn’t she?”
Cass gave him a look. “Such a dick.”
“Who’s a dick?” Sam said, appearing out of nowhere.
“Cass,” Shannon snapped.
Mack hurriedly added, “I brought you and your brother beer too, Sam.”
Mike suddenly stood by Mack’s elbow. “You brought usbeer?” His eyes were huge.
Jed looked to be trying to hide a smile. “I don’t know, Shannon. I mean, Mack is company, but should we really give our children kid beer?”
Shannon saw the six-pack Jed held and sighed. “I guess they need to start sometime.”
Mike took a can from his dad and frowned. “This says apple juice.”
“Yeah, but I got it at the liquor store,” Mack said and leaned closer to whisper loudly, “You know wine comes from grapes. You can get alcohol from apples too. Yours has a certain percent by volume alcohol even though it says it’s juice.”
Cass shook her head. Yeah,zeropercent by volume alcohol.
Mike’s eyes grew wide. “Oh, okay.”
Sam took the can and looked at Mack as if he was her new hero. Cass didn’t know whether to be offended or amused that she’d been so easily replaced.
“Thanks, Mack.” Sam popped the top and took a long sip. “Ah. That’s good stuff.” Then she scampered after her brother, heading upstairs.
Shannon laughed. “Smooth. Are you a dad or an uncle, by chance?”
Mack smiled. “Uncle in another five months. My oldest brother just announced they’re expecting.”
“It’s a joy.” Shannon smiled.
