“Can’t believe you ladies hung in there for all of that,” Braxton says as he tugs one end of crepe paper from a cluster of balloons.
“They were champs.” Beau rounds up the high placed balloons, shoves them into the garbage bag, and takes it from Liam. “Take that full one out front, will you, Liam?” he asks.
Liam grabs the bag and heads out front.
Kirsten hands me a freshly washed cake pan and grins. “We reallyarechamps,” she agrees. “We probably both deserve foot rubs.”
I dry the pan while nodding hugely. “Yeah, and maybe another slice of cheesecake. That wassogood.”
Luke, who’s sweeping the kitchen floor, pipes up next. “Hey, boys, while your women are giving each otherfoot rubs and eating cheesecake, why don’t we go out and grab a few drinks?”
Beau chuckles under his breath. “Very funny.”
“Look who almost missed the party,” Liam says as he bursts back inside. “Braxton, it’s a good thing you’re still here. You would have missed seeing your favorite cousin.”
Before I can see who’s stepped in with him, Kirsten nudges me in the arm.
“Here comes a big one. Are you ready?” She holds a large, crystal punch bowl with dripping fingers.
“Yep,” I say.
“How you doing, man?” the late-comer cries.
My gaze stays on Kirsten as she hands over the hefty crystal bowl. I set it carefully on the counter and secure the dishtowel once more.
“Chad,” I hear Braxton bellow. “So good to see you.”
“You remember my wife, Viv.” My eyes go wide as I piece the names and voices together.
“Oh my gosh, Viv!” Sure enough, itisthem, minus their little boy, Skyler. I secure the punchbowl with one hand and lift the other to wave at them. “Where’s your little guy?”
“My folks are watching him at our place,” Chad says.
Beau points at the couple. “Didn’t I see them here earlier?”
“Oh, they were here all right,” Chad says, “we just didn’t expect them to stay all night.”
“Wait,” Braxton says. “You guys know each other?”
Viv’s gaze darts between me and Braxton. “I was going to ask the same thing. How doyouguys know each other?”
“Braxton and I are dating,” I say to her before turning to Braxton. “And Vivian’s one of my best friends.”
Vivian starts to squeal. “You two aredating?”
I grin and nod. “And Chad, you said you’re one of Braxton’s cousins?”
“Not justoneof his cousins…” He tosses his arm around Braxton and slaps his chest. “I’m his favorite cousin. This guy was the best man at my wedding.”
20
Braxton
“That’s right,” I agree, reaching behind me to smack Chad in the chest as well.
“Youcan’thave been Chad’s best man,” Maggie blurts. She plops the dishtowel into the punch bowl on the counter and looks between me and Chad like she’s seen a ghost. “Chad’s best man was an absolute jerk.”
My brow furrows. I know Maggie’s got to be mistaken, but Viv speaks up before I can even form a word.
