“Just have a boy,” Joe says flatly. “Trust me.”
“Says the man who only has girls,” I tease.
“Exactly.” He lets out a low, deep groan.
“Boys. Boys,” a voice calls out from the farthest table, and our attention follows.
Joe glances at me. “Is she talking to us?”
She is Aunt Fran. She’s waving her hands frantically, yelling in our direction with her eyes on us. “Come over here.”
Uncle Sal sighs. “She’s talking to us.”
We walk together, like a tiny army toward Aunt Fran, who’s holding her half-empty wineglass in her hand while sitting in her husband’s lap. His face is nuzzled into her neck, and she giggles like a teenager when he whispers something in her ear.
She motions toward the empty seats, squirming against her husband’s hold. “Stop being antisocial and visit with me.”
Joe sits first, eyeing Bear. “Seriously, man. Can’t you keep your hands off her for a day?”
Bear smirks against her skin. “City, come on. You’ve known me forever. Have I ever been like this with anyone?”
Joe stares at him, not speaking for a moment. “It’s just…”
Bear raises his eyebrow. “Gross?”
Joe laughs. “Well yeah, man. She’s my aunt, and you’re pawing her in front of everybody.”
“I’m loving my wife. I think it’s a good example for the kids to see what love looks like.”
Joe’s laughter dies. “I don’t want any of my girls sitting like that with a boy.”
Bear shakes his head and laughs. “You were their age once. What were you doing?”
Joe squeezes his eyes shut. “Change the subject.”
Morgan grabs a seat next to Fran and Bear, grimacing as he stares at the way they’re carrying on. “I got a lead on a guy.”
“What guy?” I ask, because talking about anything is better than watching my aunt and her guy make out.
“Some asshole who’s skipped bail and been running around the country for a year. I’ve heard whispers he’s here, hiding out somewhere.”
“It’s a family week,” Uncle Sal tells him.
“He’s worth one hundred grand, Uncle.”
Uncle Sal rubs the tiny lines across his forehead. “Don’t you have enough money?”
I watch their exchange and kick back with my beer, loving having everyone here.
“I do, but there’s nothing like hauling in a bad guy,” Morgan says with a satisfying smile.
“What did he do?” Joe asks.
“Major white-collar criminal. His money and connections have kept him hidden for far too long.”
“So, he’s not dangerous?” Joe asks with curiosity.
Morgan shakes his head. “He hasn’t been in the past, but” —he rubs his hands together slowly— “like any caged animal, he might fight back.”
