Nip it in the Bud (Bunch-A-Blooms 3)

“Oh, they’re already activating.”

“Yes, ten I about the right age for it,” her mother remarks.

“I’m going to grab a drink. Do you want anything?” Willow asks.

“Whatever beer they have is fine. Thank you,” I say.

She gives me a bright smile before she heads to the bar and I continue to talk to her parents.

“I was just telling Drew he’ll have to come by the house for dinner so we can show him old photos,” her mother says as Willow returns and hands me a cold bottle of beer.

“I can’t wait to see them.”

“Mom, no.” Willow shakes her head, and I hide my laughter by taking a drink. Her family dynamics are similar to mine. I like them, but I know her father is cautious about my girls. It’s a lot to take on, and he doesn’t know me well.

“What? You were adorable,” Mrs. Ridder exclaims.

“I think we’ve monopolized enough of his time. I’m going to introduce him to some more people.” She grabs my arm.

“We’ll see you soon for dinner, Drew,” her mother calls, ignoring her as she pulls me into the crowd and I nod my head in agreement.

“What? You don’t want to share the bathtub and ducky photo?”

She shakes her head. “Laugh it up. It’s your turn next, smart ass.”

“I’m going to tell the girls about us.”

She misses a step. “Yeah?”

“Are you okay with that?” I ask cautiously.

“Yes. I really want to meet them.”

The tightness in my chest decreases.

“Good.”

She leads me to Mason.

“You need any help?” I ask, nodding toward the grill.

“I won’t say no to that.”

“Cool. I’m the griller in my family.”

“You know Olive and Petunia are waiting for you in there,” Mason says to Willow.

“Yeah. Don’t let my Pop give him the Spanish Inquisition, okay?”

“Ha. When Pop Ridder gets something in his head, ain’t no stopping him. Sort of like another woman I know.”

“Shut it,” she says, pointing her finger at him.

“I got this, babe.” Bending down, I kiss the worry from her lips. I pull back, and she smiles when I pat her ass. “Go have fun with your girls.”

She nods her head and walks away with a wag of her fingers.

“You must be a damn magician ’cause I’ve never seen her so easily managed.”