Lance’s head snapped up.His gaze slid to Claudia.He rubbed the back of his neck.
Damien grinned.“No shit.”
“That’s why we came over here.We’ve gotten to be pretty close with Austin and Lacey, and Claudia wanted them to know first.”
“Aw, damn.And we’re in the way.”
Lance shook his head.“No.You are never in the way.Besides, are you seeing this?”He nodded behind Damien.
Damien turned to see Claudia and Harmony making faces and laughing at Samuel while Lacey held the baby in her arms.The three of them looked like they’d known each other forever, laughing the same and taking turns cooing at Samuel.
“It’s like they’ve been friends forever,” Austin said, joining the other two in the kitchen.“Harmony fits right in.”
“I think all three of them have spent most of their time alone, and they feel a kind of kinship,” Damien said.
Austin and Lance tilted their heads in question.
“She lost her mom when she was young and dad in college.She’s spent the last decade working and struggling to get through school without feeling like she had anyone there for her.No siblings or close friends.Lacey has her mom, and Claudia wasn’t alone, but neither of them had girlfriends.Just like Harmony.”
“I think you’re right,” Austin said.“Lacey has really enjoyed getting to know Claudia?—”
Lacey’s scream drew the attention of all three men.
Damien tensed immediately, then noticed the smiles on their faces.Lacey held Samuel in one hand and Claudia’s left hand in her other.
“You’re engaged?I’m so happy for you!”Lacey cried.
“Thank you!”Claudia replied, hugging her.
Harmony stood awkwardly next to them, but it was only half a second before Claudia and Lacey pulled Harmony into their circle and hugged her, too.
“You finally did it, huh?”Austin asked Lance.
Lance chuckled.“He said the same thing.”
“You knew?”Austin asked Damien.
Damien shook his head.“I asked him five minutes ago if he’d proposed yet.He didn’t answer.”
“Congratulations, man.Marriage is the best.Even better is having a kid,” Austin said.
Lance chuckled.“One step at a time.”
“You know they’re all over there plotting,” Austin said.
Damien looked at the women, alternating between gushing over the ring and the baby.Damn.Harmony fit.With his friends, in his life.She fit.
He just had to convince her to give him a real shot when the danger she was in was behind them.
“He’s got that look,” Austin said.
“Yes, he does,” Lance agreed.
Damien looked at the two of them and laughed.“Let’s get the food out so we can feed our women and catch up a little more.”
“Our women,” Austin and Lance mumbled together.
Damien couldn’t help but grin.
