“Thanks,” Livvy responded, and forked a bite of scrambled eggs in her mouth. “Love that necklace.”
Eve touched the turquoise necklace around her throat. “It’s not—” She bit her tongue, having spent far too long demurring any compliment. Saying thank you felt vain and prideful, but Livvy had slowly taught her how to accept the compliments she handed out like candy. Eve felt foolish every time she soaked one up like a sponge, but it had been so long since anyone had told her she looked nice. Nicholas, sometimes, but he was too busy to constantly build up her self-confidence. “Thank you.” She took a bite of the perfectly seasoned eggs, and dared to sneak a glance at her brother. Nicholas was frowning down at his plate, but it was more of a preoccupied frown than an angry one.
Jackson walked into the room, Kareem by his side, his adorable puppy trailing along behind him. Jackson dropped into the seat next to Sadia, drawing the boy onto his lap. “Hi, Eve. Glad to know you’re safe.”
She relaxed. This was a much better reaction than Nicholas’s panic. “Thanks. Breakfast is delicious.”
Jackson inclined his head, like that would be a foregone conclusion.
“What are we doing today?” Kareem asked.
Sadia took a bite of her toast. “We have nothing planned. I thought we could relax, since it’s our last full day before the rehearsal dinner tomorrow.”
Jackson shifted Kareem so he could snag a piece of bacon from his girlfriend’s plate. “We can play some more poker.”
“How much of my money do you want to win?” Nicholas asked dryly.
Jackson gave her brother a thin smile. Anyone who didn’t know Jackson might think there was a cruel edge to the other man’s expression, but Eve could make out the mischief dancing deep in his serious gaze. They might not have the best relationship in the world, but Jackson didn’t hate Nicholas. He did, however, love poking Nicholas, and Eve was annoyed enough at her brother that she didn’t mind. “All of it.”
“Maybe a game outside would be better,” Gabe interjected. He leaned down and picked up the puppy.
Oh, this was far too much. The man was as attractive as a god. He didn’t need to be holding a criminally adorable rescue mutt too.
“What do you think, Paddles? You think we ought to smoke everyone at volleyball or basketball?”
Kareem rested his head against his uncle’s shoulder. “I changed his name to Bandit now.”
“Ah, okay. He does look like a Bandit.” Gabe raised the puppy to eye level. “I think Bandit is down for a physical game of strength.” The man’s eyes shifted to her. “What about you, Eve?”
She halted mid-chew, conscious of a blush coloring her cheeks. “I’ll sit out, but watch. I had plenty of exercise yesterday.” Gah. Even that sounded inadvertently sexual.
Be cool, Chandler!
Livvy patted her lips delicately. “You can watch me kick these boys’ asses, Eve.”
Sadia gave an exasperated sigh. “Livvy, for crying out loud...”
“Assis a bad word,” Kareem said cheerfully.
Livvy winced. “Sorry, sorry.”
Gabe adjusted the puppy. “Bring it, sister.”
Hmm. Gabe was so much better at subterfuge. He said that “sister” so lightly and casually no one would suspect Livvy actually was his sister.
Eve studied Gabe surreptitiously as she quietly finished her breakfast and the others argued over what game they could play. He was the picture of attractiveness, the weak sunlight bringing out the red in his hair. He’d changed out of his own damp clothes and his big frame was dressed casually, shirt rolled up to reveal the bright tattoos on his arms. Not the Hawaiian design, though. No, that was tucked away under the plaid. The puppy had flopped across his arms, his eyes closing as Gabe casually rubbed the creature’s ears.
They made eye contact, and Gabe’s smile hit her low in the belly. She fumbled her fork, nearly dropping it. Instead, she neatly placed it on her plate.
Nicholas leaned back. “I need to make some phone calls before I can play.”
“No work,” Livvy said firmly.
“It’s some tiny fires I have to put out. Promise, it’ll only take an hour. You can figure out what we’re going to play while I do that.” Nicholas dropped a kiss on her head. His gaze drifted over Eve, and he frowned again, giving her a brusque nod.
“If you’ll excuse me,” Eve murmured after he left, and got to her feet. “I’ll go change into something more appropriate, if we’ll be outdoors.”
“Wear a hat. You don’t want to burn,” Gabe remarked. “Your face’ll be all pink in the photos.”
