Gifted Connections 4

“Thanks, Drake,” Megan smiled at him before removing her apron, revealing a black sleeveless dress.

She really was a beautiful woman, with her long dark hair and bright blue eyes. She didn’t look old enough to be in her early forties. Not that that was old, but I’ve seen forty on a lot of people, and it didn’t look nearly as good on them.

“We’re getting fancy, huh?” I teased Drake before slapping his butt.

“Keep that up, kitten, and I’ll make us both late for dinner,” Drake suggestively whispered me in the ear. “Plus, you eat with your eyes first. We really can’t serve shrimp and grits buffet style as the norm in our household.”

I laughed as I grabbed the shrimp. “Promises, promises,” I teased him. “Sometimes I forget you’re the greatest chef ever.”

“I brought dessert,” Dawn stated as she came into the room carrying a large box of cupcakes. “I hope three dozen is enough,” she joked.

I peered into the box. “Is this from the bakery in town? Why have I not been to this bakery?”

“Because you don’t like shopping like we do,” Rachel joked before reaching into the cupboards for some glasses. “We hit it up every time we go into town. They have over forty combinations of cupcakes, and every one we’ve tried have been amazing!”

“Well can you blame the girl?”’ Dawn said with an innocent look. “If I had seven men, I don’t think I would have the free time to go shopping. In fact, most days would be spent on my back.”

“Ha, ha, ha,” I feigned annoyance as I rolled my eyes. “You’re lucky I have my hands full.”

“You do still have your gift,” Gavin reminded me. “I want to see a Jaxson inspired prank.”

“I think that’s a brilliant idea.” I grinned at him before I gave Dawn a pointed look.

“Blake Thomas, you better not,” Dawn looked worried for a moment there.

“Are you done teasing me—” I began before Rachel let out a loud laugh, “—for the night?” I added. “I know it’s impossible to expect that much.”

“Done,” Dawn held her hands up.

“Do you need a hand with anything?” Lincoln asked coming into the room.

“Can you start carrying some dishes out?” Drake asked. “Thanks, man.”

“No problem,” Lincoln said before he entered the room and stopped short when he saw me, his eyes slowly perusing my body. I saw the hunger in his eyes briefly before his eyes were hooded back over. “Are these ready?” he asked grabbing a couple of finished bowls.

“Yes, they’re ready,” Drake said before putting more grits in a bowl.

“I’ll help bring out the drinks,” Dawn told Rachel. “I feel like a waitress, again,” she sighed dramatically. “Those were the days.”

“You were a waitress?” I asked in surprise.

“That’s a story for another day.” Dawn winked, and I came to the realization I didn’t know that much about her. I knew she grew up with a sister, and that her parents, as well as her sister, were Nons. She didn’t really talk about much else, though.

“Sounds like a girl’s night of movies, snacks, and wine,” Rachel said hopefully. “Will it be weird if we watch Lincoln’s new movie and salivate over his body like we used to?”

I groaned. I had entirely forgotten that Lincoln’s new movie came out on DVD this past Tuesday. He didn’t even mention it. Which surprised me. Not that we did much small talk, in fact, I wondered who he turned to nowadays. I knew he hung out with Megan in the mornings and trained with us in the afternoon. I rarely saw him just casually talking to anyone.

“Well, you have to admit that we’re the lucky ones to have him in person,” Dawn said wickedly. “Maybe we can ask him to reenact some of our favorite scenes. This is supposed to be an action romance.”

“I think I’ll have two girls doing a reenactment of that scene from Dirty Dancing for the entertainment tonight during dessert,” I said smugly. “What’s that scene where Jennifer Grey goes crawling across the floor towards Patrick Swayze? You know, the song that the girls knew every word to?”

“Oh Lover Boy,” Sierra supplied with a giggle.

“Not fair, Blake!” Rachel squealed. “You’re bringing a gun to a knife fight.”

“You made me,” I insisted. “Can we not talk about one of my connections like he’s a piece of meat to satisfy your fantasies?”

“Well, if they would have asked nicely, I may have done one reenactment for them,” Lincoln said in amusement in the doorway.