Abby grabbed one of her elbows and leaned against the edge of her desk. “I’m not sure I’m comfortable leaving Olivia and Will with my mom yet.”
Tinker shrugged. “Bring ‘em.”
“Really?”
“Family barbecue. Graham has his daughter this weekend—she’s around Olivia’s age. I’m sure she’ll appreciate having someone her own age to hang out with. She usually plays on her phone and rolls her eyes at us. You’d be doing Graham a favor.”
Abby stood and took a step closer. “So…he’d owe me a favor in return?”
“He’d owe me one since I invited you.” He snagged her hips and pulled her forward again. “But I’d owe you one.”
She ran her hands up his biceps. “Hmm…what kind of favor?”
He grinned and leaned forward so their faces were only a breath apart. “I have some ideas.”
A throat cleared from behind them.
Abby jumped again and Tinker reluctantly stepped away from her.
Lindsey stood in the doorway, grinning like she held a winning lottery ticket. “Hey guys. Whatcha doin’?”
“Talking,” Abby replied.
“Uh-huh. A couple of your students are looking for you. I’d told them I’d get you to avoid them interrupting your…conversation.”
Abby looked at him. “I need to get back to work.”
“Same. You on for Sunday?” he asked.
He could see the excuse forming as she opened her mouth.
“Bring Lindsey if it makes you more comfortable.”
“Bring me where?” Lindsey asked.
Tinker looked at her. “Barbecue at Leonidas on Sunday. Low-key. Family’s invited.”
Lindsey turned an excited and pleading look to Abby, and he knew he had an ally.
Abby sighed. “Okay. What time?”
“Two o’clock. I’ll send you the address.” He kissed her quickly before turning toward the door, giving a grinning Lindsey a conspiratorial wink on his way out of the room.
Lindsey squeed and clapped her hands.
Abby grabbed them to stop her. The last thing she wanted was for Tinker to hear Lindsey clapping and squealing like a schoolgirl. “Don’t get too excited. It’s a work barbecue.”
“That’s good! He’s introducing you to his friends and coworkers. That means he wants them to know who you are.”
Abby picked up her clipboard and led Lindsey to the door. “I’m not sure… It wasn’t too long ago he was running scared because I have a kid. Now I have two and he’s introducing me and my kids to the people who are essentially his family.”
“He’s been good the last couple of weeks, right? He’s not running anymore. I think it’s great he wants to introduce you to his people. He knows all of yours.”
“He hasn’t met my mom yet,” Abby said.
“Ask if she can go too. Really make it a family affair.”
“What?” Abby looked at her askance.
