A couple of men at the bar chuckled quietly at that.
“Honey, you can wear whatever you want,” Amka called back, moving down the bar to refill a glass. “Wait. I take that back. No flip-flops.”
“I would not wear flip-flops,” Christian said flatly.
“Brock would,” Damian added.
Brock coughed. “I would not.”
“What else can we do?” Ace asked, directing the question toward Amka.
“Not much. May is going to take pictures and be in the wedding, and I think Ophelia and Daisy are already planning how to decorate.” Amka looked at Brock. “We’re thinking about closing all of Main Street, if that’s okay with the sheriff.”
“Sure,” Brock said. “We can block off both ends. That’s no big deal.”
“Thank you.” Amka smiled, and even from across the room, the relief in it was visible.
“You need to sit down and rest,” Christian said again.
“I am not tired,” she replied slowly.
Brock puffed out a breath. “It’s gonna be a long nine months.”
Christian muttered something under his breath, and Ace bit back a smile.
Daisy popped up beside their table, her hair in its usual wild halo. “Sorry about the wait, guys. What can I get you all?” She looked directly at Ace.
“Just coffee,” he said.
All three of his brothers stilled and looked at him.
“Ditto,” Brock said after a beat.
Christian glanced toward the bar. “I would actually like decaf, if you have it.”
Damian considered. “I’ll take a 7Up.”
Ace found loyalty all around him. “You guys, just because I’m not drinking doesn’t mean you can’t have alcohol.”
“I’m on duty,” Brock said.
“I don’t drink that much anyway,” Christian added, which was true.
“I have to drive back out to EVE,” Damian said. “The roads are muddy.”
Gratitude rose in Ace then, full and warm. These were his brothers, and this was what it looked like when they closed ranks without making a show of it.
Daisy snorted. “Crap, Ace. You quit drinking? We’re going to lose half our income.”
He shot her a look.
She winked and flounced away toward the bar.
“All right.” Damian reached into his briefcase and pulled out a file folder, placing it on the table between them. The casual tone shifted almost imperceptibly. “This is what else I found out.”
“What’s that?” Brock asked.
Ace pulled the file closer and flipped it open. “Whoa.”
