Poking the bear is way too much fun.Derek smiled. “And two”—he continued— “it’s just dinner, Hill. I mean, I wore a sport coat over it, for cryin’ out loud. How dressed up did ya want me to be?”
“I think it’s awesome.” Coop smiled at them both from across the table. “And pairing it with the jacket makes it dressy, yet casual.”
“Right?” Derek gave his other teammate an appreciative nod.
“The shirt is talking about touching hisdongle.” Mac narrowed her pretty blue eyes at Coop. “That’s a bit of a stretch for Wal-Mart, let alone this place.”
“Oh, just admit it.” Sean looked at the pretty sniper. “It’s funny.”
“Thanks, Coop.” Derek gave him a pretend high-five through the air.
“I got your back, D.” Coop returned the gesture.
“Well, then, maybe he should letyoutouch his dongle.” Mac smirked at her partner.
“Oh, my God,” Olivia chuckled from the end of the table. “Can we please stop saying the word ‘dongle’?”
Derek gave their boss’s wife an apologetic smile. “Sorry, Liv.”
The adorable nurse grinned back at him, her dimples deepening against her olive skin. “It’s okay, Derek. I love your crazy shirts.”
“See?” Derek elbowed Grant. “Told you it was fine.”
Grant rolled his eyes, grumbling something unintelligible under his breath.
Derek’s smile grew even wider. He knew somewhere deep,deepdown inside, the formidable man was laughing.
The sound of silverware clinking against glass broke through the conversation at the table. All heads turned to the far end where Jake was now standing with Olivia.
Time to get your game face on.
“If I can have everyone’s attention, Liv and I have something we’d like to share.” Dressed in a dark blue button-up and black dress pants, their boss glanced lovingly at his wife. “You want to tell them?”
Olivia beamed. “Yes.”
Jake kissed her on the cheek. “Floor’s all yours.”
The petite brunette took a nervous breath and let it out slowly. Looking as though she were about to burst with joy, Olivia made the announcement.
“Jake and I asked you all here tonight because we have some wonderful news. Because you are our closest friends...ourfamily...we wanted to share it with you while we were all together.”
She glanced back up at Jake who looked happier than Derek had ever seen him. Jake tilted his head, and Olivia’s watery gaze fell on the team once more.
Practically squealing, she quickly told them, “Jake and I are having a baby!”
Cheers filled the small, private dining room as the members of Alpha Team offered their congratulations to the happy couple. The men got up, each one hugging Olivia before slapping Jake’s back or shaking his hand. Some did both.
Even Grant joined in, though Derek could tell it took quite some effort for the big guy to do so.
Mac’s look of surprise was Oscar-worthy as she went to Olivia and Jake, and Lexi—Trevor’s wife—wiped tears of joy from the corner of her eyes as she spoke to the happy couple.
When it was Derek’s turn to hug Olivia, he did his best to act shocked. “What a great surprise! I’m so happy for you, sweetness.”
“Thanks, Derek.” The woman who’d become like a sister to him hugged him back. “Honestly, I’m even more surprised Jake didn’t tell you guys before tonight.”
Derek schooled his expression. “Yeah. That Jake. Boy, he’s somethin’ else, isn’t he?”
The space between Olivia’s brows bunched together. “Derek...” she let her voice trail.
