And what about Chase? I knewwhathe made me feel, buthowI felt was another matter. Was I falling for him? Or, as they said, had I already taken the plunge and my rational brain was being too much of an ass to recognize it?
I glanced up at Benji and his neon hair that changed from pink to blue to orange faster than I could keep up. Then I looked at Jacks, his eyes so sincere, his jaw set. Mark stood behind them all, my closest friend, my partner.
I released a sigh.
They were right.
How had I not seen this building?
How had I missed the easy camaraderie and companionship weaving its way around us?
I’d been so focused on growing the business and getting closer with Chase that I’d missed the family forming right before my eyes.
“So, what are you suggesting?” I asked.
“Nothing crazy, just a group hangout,” Mark said. “Something outside the bar, somewhere we can all talk and get to know each other without customerscalling out drink orders or screaming at the TV.”
“Like dinner or something,” Jacks added. “Is that lame? That sounds lame when I say it out loud.”
“It’s not lame,” I said.
“Okay, good, because Benji wanted to do laser tag and I told him that was a terrible idea—”
“It would be fun!” Benji protested.
“You made a kid cry last time—and we were bowling,” Jacks said flatly.
“He was talking trash from two lanes over.”
“He was twelve!”
“He started it!”
Mark snorted and shook his head. “Anyway, we need to plan a dinner—and Priya obviously has to come. This is a full-family situation.”
“Exactly.” Jacks leaned forward, his expression turning serious, which was somehow even more comical than his playful face. “Because you’re important to us, boss, and we want to make sure whoever you’re with is good enough, that they treat you right and make you happy and all that gushy stuff in Lifetime movies.”
He scratched his jaw as though his words itched.
Benji glared, eyes wide.
Mark stood, ignoring our children. “So, dinner this weekend. Somewhere nice but casual.”
“And tell Chase it’s time he met the family,” Benjiadded. “Oh, while you’re at it, tell him how you feel, too. It’s obvious you’ve been an idiot and not said the magic words.”
“Magic words,” I muttered through a chuckle, trying to hide the abject terror those words instilled in my chest.
“Oh, and be gentle.” Jacks grinned, that big, genuine smile that made him look younger than his twenty-six years. “Tell him we promise to only grill him a little. Like, medium grill. Not full grill.”
“Medium rare?” Benji offered.
“Mid-rare,” Mark corrected.
“Raw always feels better.” Benji smirked.
“I don’t think that’s how grilling works,” Jacks said.
I covered my face with my palm.
