Allie took a pull of her beer, second guessing her choice of inviting Sandy today.“I’m sorry, Carson.”
“There’s no apology for Sandy.”Carson chuckled as he wrapped his arm around her waist.“You act as if I didn’t grow up with this woman.”
True, she did forget that sometimes.She’d just been apologizingfor Sandy for so many years, she’d forgotten he’d known her longer and better.Well enough to know where he worked.Ugh, that really was starting to bug her.
“Hey, I resent that, and I’m not sorry.You invited Allie to meet your friends and right after introductions, you snuck off.”
“Snuck off?We were standing right over there.”He pointed toward the grill that Barry was now manning.The other guys had broken off and were headed their way except for Jack.He stayedbehind with Barry.That was probably a smart choice.Sandy seemed in a bloodthirsty mood.
“And what was so important that you were all talking about and leaving us out?”Sandy asked with a raised eyebrow.
“I’m sorry we’ve been neglectful, Sandy,” Luke said.
“At least one of you Neanderthals know you were.”She lifted her face toward the sky looking miffed.
“Sandy is hangry,” Allie explained.She wasgrumblier when she was hungry.
“Well, food should be ready any minute.Though with Barry minding the grill, things might get overcooked.”
“Hey, I heard that,” Barry yelled out.“Burgers are coming off of the grill now, and they are going to be perfect.”
Carson held his hand up with his beer in it in surrender.“They’ll be charred,” Carson whispered in Allie’s ear.
“If he’s going to burn the burgers, why did you leave him in charge?”
“So, I could hang out with you.”
“So, you want me to starve so you could hang out with me?”she asked with a grin, so he knew she was joking.
“We have plenty of food even if he manages to burnthem.Besides, there’s always dessert,” he replied, wagging his eyebrows suggestively.Allie heard Sandy spit out her beer and start coughing.“Sandy,you okay?”Carson glanced over Allie’s shoulder at her in concern.
“She’s fine,” Allieanswered for Sandy, schooling her features.The last thing she needed was for Carson to know she had told Sandy about the chocolate cake.Since that date, Sandy hadn’t asked for more details, but the constant look of bliss on her face was evident.
“Wrong pipe,” Sandy wheezed, her eyes watering as she cleared her throat.
“Food’s ready,” Barry announced, saving Allie from further embarrassment.
They all congregated around the large patio table.They must do this often because without a word, people took their seats.Carson guided Allie to her spot and placed Sandy on the other side of her.Jack started passing around platters of side dishes while Barry carried over the plate full of burgers.They looked dark but not charred like Carson had said they would be.
“Told you, I wouldn’t burn them,” Barry stated, puffing out his chest in pride.
“There’s a first time for everything.”
Everyone laughed around the table.And Allie watched them all.They seemed like such a close group.Everyone ribbed each other.Even the women teased the men.
Chapter 22
“I apologize again, Allie, if you felt neglected.It was unintentional,” Luke said as soon as everyone was served.
It was sweet of him to apologize but unnecessary.If anyone should be apologizing, it was Carson.Not that she needed one.“It’s alright.It gave me time to meet Zoe and Shay and learnall of your secrets.”She laughed, but when no one else joined her, she sobered up.“It was a joke.”
Allie didn’t know why, but she felt like she’d done something wrong.
“Well, if anyone had dirt on any of us, it would be Zoe,” Carson remarked, easing the tension.
“Don’t think I’m not keeping a profile on any of you,” Zoe responded before taking a bite of her burger.
“She’s not joking.”Greg grinned before kissing the side of Zoe’s head.She leaned into him.Allie could see the love between them.
