Cass turned to spy Samantha and Mike in the archway, watching and sipping from their cans.
Mack cleared his throat. “Er, you, funny lady.”
Mike and Sam were pointing at Cass and laughing their little heads off. Mike said between giggles, “Ha. You’re a dumbass, Aunt Cass! See, Dad? That’s not a bad word.”
Cass frowned at her partner. “Wonder where they heard that before.”
“Jed, do something about that.” Shannon waved at the twins. “Potty mouths don’t get dessert.”
“But we’re drunk on beer, Mom,” Sam said, deliberately slurring her words.
“Itiszero percent alcohol, Shannon,” Jed said, doing his best not to smile.
“Well, maybe I’ll be lenient. This time. But you have to apologize to your dumbass aunt first.”
“Shannon,” Cass growled.
The kids giggled some more.
“Cass, be nice,” Mack said. “Or no kisses for you in the car.”
She blushed, especially when the kids started making kissy faces. And then their father did it.
Shannon chuckled. Mack smirked, and Cass called them all dumbasses before grabbing and tickling the demon twins to make them recant.
But what really made the night perfect—she and Mack crushed Jed and Shannon, becoming the new Pictionary champions of the Karsten household. First time ever. And wouldn’t she hold that against herdumbasspartner for the months to come.
Chapter Thirteen
Mack hadn’t expected to have so much fun. Watching Cass let her hair down—and, damn, but she was amazing looking with it soft and long around her shoulders—metaphorically speaking, had been eye-opening.
She wasn’t guarded around her friends. She still teased, still wanted to win at all costs, and had been downright rude rubbing their noses in it, but she softened into a funny, fun partner.
He wanted her something fierce but made sure to act lighthearted and casual despite feeling a lot more than like for this warm, edgy woman.
Shannon cornered him in the kitchen while Jed and Cass argued about who had to put the game away. “She’s a keeper, you know.”
“Cass? Of course I know. But she’s skittish. I’m going in easy.”
“Good plan. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her laugh so much with anyone outside Jed and me. She takes herself too seriously. The girl just needs to relax.” She paused. “Just make sure to always be honest with her. Cass hates liars.”
“Yeah, me too.” They shared a smile, and Mack said, “I can tell Jed’s a good partner. Seems to always have her back. Cass is lucky.”
“Sounds like you are too. Your friends sound great. Jed told me about Tex. He sounds like a funny guy.”
“He’s Texan. They’re all a little funny.” He made the crazy sign by his ear, which had her laughing. “But seriously, thank you so much for having me for dinner. I had a great time.”
“That’s sweet. I know it wasn’t fancy. Just pot roast, but—”
“Justpot roast? Are you kidding? That roast is right up there with my mom’s lasagna. But never tell her I said that.”
Jed and Cass came in, saw Mack standing so close to Shannon, and froze.
Mack rolled his eyes at them both. “Really? Do you think I’d make a move where Cass might see me? Honestly, Jed. I’m not an idiot.”
Jed lost his menacing glared and laughed. “Another person who clearly knows she’s meaner than I am. Nice.”
Shannon shook her head. “Men are idiots.”
