“I believe we have a barbeque to go to,” he said, not wanting her to over-think.
“Ready?” He shut the car off and unhooked his seat belt.
She was out of the car before he could open the door for her, and she met him by the trunk. He pulled out the large box from him, and she picked up her gift, which the store had wrapped for her.
“Care to tell me what’s in there?” she asked, eyeing the overly large gift.
He grinned. “Oh, only something my sister is going to lecture me over buying too soon.”
She laughed at the glee he was sure she saw in his face. “You’re a good uncle.”
“I try to be. So … ready to go meet the troops?”
She drew a deep breath, and he knew she was nervous.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.”
Her words confirmed it, so he grasped her hand and pulled her in for a kiss on those hot lips, long enough to calm her but short enough not to get caught making out by the car. When he pulled back, Olivia’s eyes were glazed, and a smile lifted her lips.
Mission accomplished, he thought and led her toward the front door.
* * *
A pretty woman greeted Olivia and Dylan at the front door. “I’m so glad you’re here! I missed you, little brother.”
Olivia did her best not to laugh, because Dylan was so much taller than his sister, who was even shorter than Olivia’s five foot four inches. Like her brother, she had dark brown hair and pretty brown eyes, surrounded by thick lashes. And she wore a casual sundress, which made Olivia feel comfortable with her own choice (well, actually, Avery’s choice).
“You must be Olivia,” the other woman said. “I was so glad when Dylan left a message he’d be bringing a friend. I’m Callie.”
“It’s really nice to meet you,” Olivia said. “I appreciate you letting me crash your family party.”
“The more the merrier. Come out back. We’re set up outside.”
Company consisted of a princess jumping castle and screaming, happy children bouncing around, high on sugar and having fun. It also consisted of parents running ragged, keeping an eye on their kids … or trying to. Olivia sat on the patio along with the adults without rug rat responsibilities. Dylan sat beside her along with his sister and her husband, Matthew, a sweet man with a slightly receding hairline, but good-looking nonetheless. They were currently enjoying a break from watching the birthday girl, since she sat on her uncle Dylan’s lap.
The little girl was a precocious four-year-old who clearly adored her uncle. Even now, the dark-haired imp clapped her hands and chattered as he listened to her with an indulgent smile. A smile that devastated Olivia on a soul-deep level. The man loved children. And she was coming to love him.
No, she forced herself to admit silently, she did love him. She loved the man who wanted her, had gone after her and worn down her resistance until she’d faced the fact that she wanted him too. She’d tried to keep things light. Knew no good could come of letting him in. She sniffed back tears. Happy? Unhappy? She didn’t know which, because the revelation had sent her reeling.
Somehow she kept a smile on her face.
“So, Olivia, how do you work with my brother without wanting to strangle him?” Callie asked with a grin that made her look very much like her sibling.
“Who said I don’t?” Olivia laughed, grateful for the distraction.
“Ooh, the women are ganging up on me,” Dylan said without a hint of fear. “Are you going to help them, Ava?” he asked, tickling her until she screamed, a blood-curdling shriek of glee only a child could manage.
“Dylan, stop!” Callie yelled at him. “She’s had more cake and candy than I want to think about. If she gets sick, you’re cleaning it up!” Callie stood and held out her arms.
Dylan whispered something in the little girl’s ear before standing and handing her over to her mother.
“Potty break,” Callie muttered and placed her daughter on her feet and led her into the house.
“What did you say to her?” Olivia asked him.
“I told her mommies are spoilsports and uncles aren’t.”
“You did not!” She smacked his arm playfully.