Chance chuckled. “Yes, they were kind of brazen, especially when they didn’t know he had his own place. And I distinctly remember you not telling them that until after the interrogation was over.”
“True.” She released a deep breath. “I want Tiffany to be happy, but…”
“But what?”
“I just don’t want her to settle on the first guy.”
“Even if he’s a good catch? I heard he comes from a well-off family, he has an engineering degree and works for a good company, and he’s never been in trouble with the law.”
Kylie lifted a brow. “Who told you that?”
“Tiffany. She called while you were in the shower. She’d intended to tell us about their engagement in private, but Gary got over-excited and announced it. She wanted to apologize and let us know he was a great guy.”
“And why are you just telling me this?”
“I told her I thought it would be better if she told you herself, since I know how you are. And because she also knows how you are, she agreed.”
“And how am I?”
“Once a mother, always a mother. You care deeply for our kids and want the best for them. Marcus, Tiffany and Alden.”
Kylie nodded. “I just want them to be happy, Chance.”
“We both do, sweetheart. At least we have a few more years before we have to be concerned with Alden. I hate to say it, but Marcus might be like his uncle Donovan or even worse, like Drew’s sons where women are concerned.”
Kylie shuddered at the thought. “Let’s hope not.”
Chance smiled. “I agree with you there, knowing their reputations before the seven of them settled down and married.” He paused and then said, “And as far as Tiffany is concerned, she became mine when you became mine. She is the daughter of my heart.”
“I know, and you have been a wonderful dad. Thanks.”
“No thanks needed, sweetheart. But I will gladly take this,” he said, pulling her into his arms and lowering his mouth to hers for a kiss.
**
“You look nice, Dr. Steele.”
Tiffany glanced over at Gary. He had arrived at her room to walk her to the dining room. This was the welcome dinner, and she was looking forward to seeing everyone. She hadn’t seensome of the family since Mercury’s best friend, Jaye Colfax’s, wedding two years ago. “Thanks, Gary. You look nice yourself.”
“Thanks. So, tell me about the people I will be meeting tonight. I know your father has three brothers, right? And they all work for the Steele Corporation?”
“That’s right. Dad is the oldest, followed by Uncle Sebastian, Uncle Morgan, and last but not least, Uncle Donovan. Dad is the CEO. Uncle Sebastian is the corporation’s problem solver; Uncle Morgan heads research and development, and Uncle Donovan is over product administration. You met them earlier. They were with my parents when we arrived. Also, my cousin Vanessa works for the company as their public relations manager. Her father, Harold Jeremiah Steele, and my grandfather, Lester Marcus Steele, started the company years ago. You’ll meet Vanessa and my granddad Lester at dinner tonight.”
“I see. What about the ones living in Phoenix?”
“That’s cousin Drew and his wife, Eden’s crew. They have six sons. Drew and Eden are the couple we’re having the surprise anniversary party for on New Year’s Eve. They don’t have a clue, so please don’t let anything slip.”
“I won’t. Who are their six sons?”
“Galen, Tyson, Eli, Jonas, Mercury, and Gannon.”
He nodded. “How does York Ellis fit into all this?” He had deliberately asked about the others so she wouldn’t get suspicious when he asked about Ellis.
“York and his godbrothers are good friends with the Steeles, but I believe the friendship began with Donovan and Uriel Lassister. They met in college and have been best friends since. Anyone who is friends with Uriel is automatically friends with his five godbrothers.”
“Why?”
“Because the godbrothers hang together. Usually, when you see one, you see them all. Their fathers were best friends atMorehouse, and on graduation day, they vowed to be godfathers to each of their children. They also decided that the first names of their sons would start with the letters U, V, W, X, Y and Z. That’s how Uriel Lassiter, Virgil Bougard, Winston Coltrane, Xavier Kane, York Ellis, and Zion Blackstone came to be. Before they married, the six were known as the ‘Bachelors in Demand’ because they’d taken an oath to remain single forever. They even had a club called the Guarded Hearts Club.”
