I took off my coat before we rang the doorbell, so Declan is seeing me as I wanted him to.
Yes, I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I worked at looking good for this dinner. I don’t often try as hard as I tried tonight, and even Jamie Beth, who normally urges me to “work it girl” in frustration, was impressed.
I paired a blue fitted sweater with a diamond-shaped cut out in back with a black mini-skirt, black sheer tights, and black-heeled strappy shoes. I pulled my hair up into a high ponytail and matched my dark red lipstick with a hair ribbon that Jamie Beth wound through a section of my ponytail.
I feel sexy, and I can tell Declan approves. His eyes darken as we keep looking at each other, and we don’t break the contact until Jamie Beth clears her throat loudly.
“My family can be a bit overwhelming,” he says to me quietly. “Tell me if it’s too much, and we can go for a walk.”
I’d take him up on that offer regardless, but I don’t want to seem like I’m overly happy to see him. Which I am.
“Let me introduce you around.” Declan invites us further into the house.
Luke and his three brothers are all hot, a fact Jamie Beth is quick to mutter under her breath as soon as we’re introduced. Brayden is the youngest and the only one who’s married, and his wife, Leleila, is gorgeous with long chestnut hair, green eyes, and super-cool, purple-framed glasses. Their twin girls, Ashley and Abigail, have blond hair like their daddy and green eyes like their mom. Ashley leaps into Declan’s arms and begs him to take her to pat the pony.
He carries her outside with Abigail racing behind him. I can’t help sighing to myself at the image of Declan gently holding a little girl in his arms. He undoubtedly adores his nieces. Brayden chuckles as he grabs his daughters’ jackets off the couch and follows after them.
“That’s one hot daddy,” Jamie Beth says to Leleila. “He also seems sweet.”
“He’s the best.” Leleila smiles widely. “I don’t know how I got so lucky sometimes.”
As she and Jamie Beth continue chatting, Luke says to me in a low voice, “Thought maybe I’d be seeing you again around here. Congratulations on your engagement.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “I would say thank you, but you know it’s not real.”
He raises one eyebrow. “I know what I see. Looks real from where I’m standing.”
I try to stop my jaw from falling open, but I don’t quite manage it. Before I can come up with a coherent response, Luke’s twin brothers descend upon me.
“So you’re Declan’s fiancée. I’m Chase, and this is my twin brother, Cooper.” I shake hands with both of them.
Chase and Cooper look identical with their blond hair and matching blue eyes. They’re cowboys through and through with tall, muscular frames that fill out their worn jeans and flannel shirts.
Beside me, Jamie Beth is staring at the twin brothers. And when my best friend stares, she doesn’t have an ounce of self-consciousness.
“See something you like?” Cooper says to her in a slow drawl.
“Ha!” She flips back into guarded Jamie mode. “Not especially. You?”
He winks at her. “For sure. Can I get you ladies a drink?”
We both accept his offer, and he leaves and then returns with a glass of red wine for Jamie and lemonade for me.
Then, Declan’s brother, Cam, and his pregnant wife, Savannah, come through the door.
“Oh my God.” Jamie grabs my hand. “Between Declan and his brother? I don’t know who’s sexier.”
I’d pick Declan every time, but I get her point. Cameron looks so much like Declan but more mischievous. He tells me that he played hockey, too, for most of his life.
“I didn’t have the drive my brother does to be the best,” he says as he wraps an arm around Savannah. “Or his talent.”
Savannah shakes her head, her dark hair brushing across her shoulders. “Not true,” she says to me. “Cam’s incredibly talented. He just didn’t love it the way Declan does.”
I smile as she puts a hand on her belly. “When are you due?”
“Soon,” she says. “Hopefully extremely soon. I’m ready to have this baby.”
She laughs, and Cam kisses her head as Chase and Cooper join us and fight for Jamie Beth’s attention. She loves every second of their flirting.
