“Don’t forget Anna’s got sixteen years on Caleb and ten on Kyle,” Summer said, then grinned at Damon. “And this grump is thirteen years older than me.”
“I’m not a grump,” Damon said, but he was smiling as he pulled Summer closer.
Derek leaned over and whispered in my ear, “Apparently we are the boring couple.”
“I’ll take boring,” I whispered back, trying to control my increased heart rate at the warmth of his breath against my neck.
As dinner continued, I found myself relaxing in a way I hadn’t in years. These women were genuine, smart, and funny. They asked me about Lily, my work, my life, without any of the judgment I faced at Derek’s office. They made me feel included without making me feel like an outsider.
After dinner, we migrated back to the living room. Anna settled on the couch, and I watched as both Caleb and Kyle immediately flanked her, making sure she had pillows, that she was comfortable and that she had water.
“You okay?” Caleb asked, his hand on her baby bump.
“I’m fine,” Anna said, smiling up at both of them. “Stop fussing.”
“Never,” Kyle said, kissing her temple.
My chest twisted because Jack had never been like that. Not when I was pregnant and not after. He treated my pregnancy like an inconvenience, something that happened to me rather than something we were experiencing together.
“Want something to snack on?”
I looked up to find Derek standing beside my spot on the couch. “Most people are drinking, but I thought you might want something else,” he said casually.
But the fact that he noticed I wasn’t drinking, that he thought about what I might need, made my throat tight.
“Some water would be great,” I said softly.
He returned with water and a plate of fruit and cheese, settling it on the coffee table within my reach before rejoining the men’s conversation across the room.
“He’s sweet,” Chelsea said, sliding onto the couch beside me. “The way he looks at you? It’s adorable, Paige.”
I didn’t know how to respond to that, so I just smiled and took a sip of water.
“Emma!” Summer called out. “It’s past midnight. We should probably head home?—”
“Absolutely not,” Emma said firmly. “I have like ten guest rooms. Everyone’s staying. I don’t want anyone driving after drinking.”
“Emma, but—” Mia started.
“No arguments. It’ll be like a sleepover, and it will be fun!”
Thankfully, we didn’t have to worry about Lily. Charlotte had come over for lunch, and even though Derek had prepared a babysitter, she might have left by midnight, and Charlotte was there if Lily got fussy. But surprisingly, she had been sleeping soundly at night ever since she had started walking.
The men gathered in the den while we women claimed the living room, settling in with blankets and pillows like we were at a middle school slumber party.
“Okay!” Summer said, a mischievous grin curling on her lips. “I want to know everything. How did you all fall in love with your partners?”
“Oh God,” Ivy groaned, but she was smiling. “Do you really want to hear about how I fell for my brother’s best friend?”
“Yes!” Emma said immediately. “All the details.”
And soon I was gasping and clutching my glass of water with each of their stories. Mia’s forbidden attraction to her dad’s best friend. Emma falling for her protective and scary-looking bodyguard. Chelsea’s romance with the older lawyer who took care of her monetarily before becoming obsessive. Katie fell for her best-friend’s younger brother, who apparently had a crush on her since they were kids.
I pursed my lips, thinking how it seemed similar to me and Derek.
Each story was different, but these men adored their partners.
“What about you, Paige?” Katie asked, her voice soft but curious. “How does it feel to date your childhood friend?”
