We all laughed as Max blushed, something he didn’t do very often. I could only imagine how much he would’ve had to have drank to sing karaoke in front of a bunch of strangers. Max was pretty reserved and karaoke wasn’t something I could imagine him doing.
“Maybe if we switch out that Corona for Crown,” Pierce winked.
“Oh, stop it,” Isa said, shoving on Pierce’s shoulder. “Leave Max alone.” She took a sip of her wine. “But it is a shame I didn’t get that on video.”
Max groaned, tugging the brim of his hat over his eyes. I squeezed his thigh under the table and he peeked up, rewarding me with a shy smile.
Trying to turn the attention away from my man, I looked across the table. Jada was leaning against Cane, looking adorable in a pair of black pants and a white top. Her hair was so thick and shiny, the light from overhead reflecting off the strands. “How are you feeling, Jada?”
She shrugged. “Alright. I’ve been too tired to do much lately. Just getting dressed felt like climbing Mt. Everest.”
“I felt that way in my last trimester with Joselyn. I was too tired to do anything, so I didn’t. Just enjoy being pregnant, make Cane take out the trash and run the vacuum.”
Jada laughed. “You think he lets me do anything? I’m surprised he hasn’t found someone to brush my teeth for me.”
We erupted in laughter and my gaze met my brother-in-law’s. Hewinked. “I’ve been looking for someone to do that. You busy next week, Kari?”
“Stop it, Cane,” Jada said, shaking her head. “It felt good to actually get out of yoga pants this evening. But now that I’ve experienced it, I’m ready to put them back on.”
“You look so pretty,” I smiled reassuringly.
“I look like a whale.”
“I don’t want to hear you say that. You’re beautiful,” Cane whispered to her, but loud enough for us all to hear.
Isa smacked her lips together. “So sweet! Why don’t you say sweet things like that to me,” she said, turning to Pierce. He was waving his hands over his head.
“Hey! There’s Brielle,” he said.
“Brielle?” Max asked, his eyes following Pierce’s. “Why is she here?”
“I invited her. I thought it would be fun,” Isa said. She watched Max’s face and twisted her lips. “She’s old enough to be here, Max. Relax.”
Max shifted in his seat, clearly uncomfortable. He glanced at Cane and a look passed between them, makingmeuncomfortable. I wasn’t sure what was going on, but something was up.
“Hey!” Brielle squealed, making a beeline for Isa. “How are you? Oh my God! Look at you! I love that dress!” She wrapped her arms around Isa’s neck and hugged her tight. Pulling back, she kissed Pierce on the cheek. “How are you, Trouble?”
“You’re calling me ‘Trouble’? Ah, the irony.”
“Hey, Max,” Brielle said, her eyes softening as she looked at her brother. She bit the inside of her cheek. “How are ya?”
Brielle was younger than Max by a few years. She had the same sort of exotic look going on that Max had—dark hair, amazing green eyes, and gorgeous skin. Where he was sharp and defined, she was rounder, curvier with a body any girl would kill for.
“Not expecting to see you here,” Max said, his eyebrows raising.
“Why not? It’s a reunion in here tonight!” She glanced at me and plastered on a fake smile. “Hi, Kari.”
From anyone watching the interaction, it would seem like she was just another sweet girl saying hello to her brother’s friend. But the air between us, the feelings she sent without words, was anything but polite. It was always like that with her.
“Hey, everyone,” Brielle said, turning to Cane and Jada.
“How are you, Bri?” Cane asked, watching her curiously.
“Good! How are you? And how is the baby, Jada? I can’t wait to see it!” She smiled genuinely at my sister, making me more confused.
Jada put her hand on her belly. “The baby is good.”
“Heyyy!”
