“I’ll get it.” Seth dashed in from the patio and headed for the front door.
She followed as he tugged it open. Raine, Hammer, and Liam entered, all smiles.
As soon as Raine caught sight of her, the woman squealed and ran, arms wide open. “Oh, my god, I’ve missed you so much!”
Laughing, Heavenly met her bestie halfway and enfolded her in a happy hug. “Same! I’m so glad you’re back.”
Between their Paris honeymoon and Hudson’s unexpected arrival, she hadn’t seen Raine since her wedding two weeks ago. That was the longest they’d been apart in months.
Heavenly scanned her bestie up and down. “You look amazing. Marriage suits you.”
“I admit, I’m pretty happy.” Raine all but preened. “But you’re the one who looks gorg. I swear you get more beautiful every time I see you. If I didn’t love you so much, I’d hate you.”
Hammer and Liam looked on from the doorway, bro-hugging and fist-bumping Seth before they grinned broadly and greeted Heavenly with warm hugs.
“So…where’s this teenage son of yours?” Raine pulled back from Seth’s welcoming embrace. “And did you really think the world needed another you?”
He slung an arm around Heavenly’s waist and grinned. “Of course. Hudson is my gift to humanity. You’re welcome.”
Everyone laughed as they wandered into the kitchen. Footsteps thundered up the stairs. Seconds later, Hudson appeared at the top, dressed in board shorts and a T-shirt. “Did I hear my name?”
“Speak of the devil,” Seth said with obvious pride, moving to stand beside his son with a clap on the back. “Hudson, I’d like you to meet our best friends. This is Macen Hammerman—call him Hammer—Liam O’Neill, and their wife, Raine.”
Hudson stepped forward with easy confidence. “What’s up? Nice to meet you.”
Raine’s eyes went wide as she took in Hudson’s face, her gaze darting between father and son. “Wow. You are a dead ringer for your dad.”
“No kidding,” Hammer added, extending his hand to Hudson. “The resemblance is incredible.”
“Good to meet you, lad.” Liam shook with the kid, then turned back to Seth, his smile sly. “If he’s the devil, it’s no surprise. He is half you, mate.”
“Fuck you. Just wait until those twin girls of yours grow up. We’ll see how angelic they are since they’re half you.”
The Irishman laughed even harder. “If they’re not angels, blame Raine. After all, they’re half her, too.”
The tsking brunette swatted his shoulder. “Ciara has my sweet disposition, thank you very much. Catronia, the little hellraiser, is all you.”
“Try the other way around,” Liam drawled.
Heavenly laughed. “Where are those precious babies?”
“With Liam’s sisters. They’re leaving for Ireland day after tomorrow, so they wanted to spend a little more time with their nieces. But Meg will be back with Liam’s mother when this one is born.” Raine slid her hand over her seemingly flat stomach.
Honestly, the woman didn’t look as if she’d recently had twins and was already pregnant again.
Seth jumped into the banter. “Hammer’s son will undoubtedly be a menace to society.”
Hammer shrugged. “The kid has no prayer. After all, Raine will be his mother.”
“Hey!” she objected. “You can both do without for the rest of the weekend.”
Liam leered at her. “But we know you can’t, love.”
“Besides…” Macen bent to murmur in her ear. “That’s not going to happen, precious.”
Blushing, Raine stuck out her tongue as Heavenly heard another set of footfalls on the stairs. Moments later, Hudson’s friend appeared, dressed for the pool.
“This is Casen,” Hudson told the others.
