“A jerk?” I finish for her, and her nose scrunches. “He’s had a lot on his plate these last few months.”
“Yeah,” she agrees, and I let out a breath. “I talked to Janet this morning. She sounded okay, but I’m worried about her.”
“Me too.” I glance into the living room at Blake and Margret. “I’m worried about all of them,” I say, then look toward the door when someone knocks. Tanner gets up to answer it, and a second later, Maverick and Mason follow him inside, where they give him chin lifts. As soon as Taylor sees Mason, she runs to him, and he picks her up and gives her a long hug. Then he carries her to the couch, where Margret is sitting with a smile on her face. I watch the three of them together and bite my lip. I really hope that they’re able to work through whatever issues or reservations they have about being together, because from the outside looking in, they look like they belong together. It’s obvious that they make each other happy, judging by the smiles and soft looks they’re sharing.
“You two doing okay?” Maverick wraps his arm around my shoulder in a half hug before doing the same to Cybil.
“We’re good—are you doing okay?” I study him closely, wishing I knew how to read him. How he, Blake, and Tanner are so close is anyone’s guess, since the three of them are so very different. Tanner is so sweet and easygoing; Blake is standoffish and tends to come across like an ass but has a heart of gold; and Maverick, even as nice as he is, is just really hard to read. Even when he’s smiling, you don’t know what he’s thinking. The only thing I do know is that ever since his trip with Lauren and Oliver, he’s seemed on edge, like he’s waiting for something to happen.
“I’m doing okay,” he says, then looks down when Sam comes over and tugs on the leg of his jeans. “Hey, bud.” He picks him up, and Sam says something to him in his ear while pointing into the living room. “All right.” He laughs as he carries him away.
“Does he seem off, or is it just me?” Cybil asks, and I turn to look at her.
“You’ve noticed it too?”
“Yeah, it’s hard not to see that something is going on with him.”
“Maybe it’s everything happening with Dave; I know the guys and him are close,” I say, and she gives me a look that says clearly she doesn’t think that’s it. “There was a girl,” I add without thinking when Ozzie comes to mind.
“What?” she whispers as she leans closer to me.
“I don’t know,” I tell her quietly. “It was probably nothing, but I swear, ever since the time they were together, he’s seemed different.” She looks at him, and I do the same. “She was a client, so it’s probably just my imagination, or—”
“I met Tanner on a couples retreat,” she says, cutting me off. “And you work in the office at the lodge. I don’t think there are rules when it comes to falling for someone.”
“You’re right,” I agree, because I know that it doesn’t matter what the situation is when you meet someone and feelings get involved.
“Well, I hope that whatever’s going on with him works itself out.”
“Me too,” I say as Tanner and Blake both come into the kitchen.
“Should we start up the grill for dinner?” Tanner asks, looking between the two of us, and Blake slides his hand down my back.
“Yeah.” Cybil looks into the living room and sees that Claire is still sleeping, and then she looks at me. “Do you mind helping me get the kabobs and salad together?”
“Not at all.” I slide off my stool and go around the island into the kitchen with her. Slowly, the guys make their way outside. Margret, Cybil, and I get stuff ready while watching over Taylor and Sam, who are playing, and Claire, who’s still sleeping.
When dinner is finished cooking, we all head outside and take up seats around the table, which Cybil and Tanner purchased sometime since our last get-together.
“I’d like to make a toast.” Tanner lifts his beer as he glances around the table. “To friends that are more than friends and closer than family.”
I pick up my glass and look around the group. When I moved back here with Sam, I had no idea how things would go for me. I just knew that with my parents’ support, I’d have a shot at making a life for my son and myself. I never planned on meeting a man like Blake or making the friends I have now, but I can honestly say that I’m so grateful for all of them. They’ve welcomed me and my son with open arms and made us feel like we belong, even before Blake and I were together. And with Blake going through what he is, I’m even more thankful for them, because I know that no matter what happens, he, his mom, his sister, and his father have people who will be there even if times get hard.