His lips twitched as he gave Sadie a skeptical look.
She lifted a shoulder. “Sometimes we say these things to make ourselves feel better.”
“Please, Daddy?”
Eastern sighed and handed the box to Avery. “Straight into the fridge.”
Her eyes shone, and she nodded before running up the steps.
Sadie took his hand, the grin on her face so radiant he couldn’t help but stare.
“Even if she did sneak a bite of cupcake before dinner,” Sadie said, “it wouldn’t be the end of the world.”
He grunted before slipping his arm around her waist. “Whose side are you on?”
“Avery’s. Always Avery’s.”
He squeezed her waist, and she laughed as the door opened and Kayden stood on the other side. He grinned down at Avery. “My favorite niece is here!”
“Uncle Kay, I’m your only niece.”
“What happened to the rest of them?”
She chuckled before lifting the box. “We brought cupcakes.”
“Uh, I knew there was a reason we invited you.” He glanced up at Eastern and Sadie. “Hey guys, come in and get settled while Avery and I taste these cakes.”
Avery shook her head. “Daddy says we’re not allowed.”
Kayden scoffed. “What the old man doesn’t know won’t hurt him.”
Avery’s eyes lit up, but Eastern growled. “Don’t even think about it.”
“Come on,” Kayden whispered to Avery, lifting her in his arms.
They stepped into the living room to see Harper and Tilly behind the kitchen counter, preparing a salad and garlic bread.
Harper smiled at them. “Hey! You made it.”
Eastern gave both women a hug before asking, “Is Cody around?”
“Sure is.” Harper nodded toward the back door. “He’s cooking the meat on the deck. Feel free to go out and do the manly thing of standing around the barbecue with a beer.”
That sounded like his kind of night. He turned to Sadie. “You okay?”
“Definitely.” When she leaned up to kiss him, all he wanted to do was wrap his arms around her and get lost in the kiss. But he forced himself to release her. When he turned, it was to see Kayden and Avery with their heads inside the fridge.
Oh, Jesus. He didn’t even want to know. He stepped out the back door.
Cody stood over the barbecue, beer in hand. He dipped his head. “Hey, man.”
“Hey.”
His brother reached into the cooler and pulled out a beer for him. “Sadie and Ave inside?”
“Yeah, Sadie’s talking to the women, and Avery’s pretending she’s not eating the icing off the cupcakes with Kayden.”
Cody laughed. “That’s awesome. Kayden’s so different since he met Tilly. More relaxed.”
