“I’ll make sure everyone gets one when they come in and then check them off the list. That way, if anyone isn’t in class, we can mail them a copy.”
I beamed at Molly.
“Perfect. You’re really good at this, you know?”
She smiled at me shyly and I was struck again by how innocent she was. How on earth had she ended up with Callaway? But she made him happy. And more far importantly, in my opinion, he made her happy.
“You’re glowing.” I blinked. “You aren’t preggo, are you?”
She shook her head.
“I don’t think so. But I really don’t know.”
“What do you mean, you don’t know? Are you guys trying already?”
She turned pink and shook her head again.
“Not trying . . . but not being careful either.”
“Wow. You guys just got together. It’s only been, what, a month since things got serious?”
“A little longer. Callaway says we don’t need birth control.”
I crossed my arms and stared at her. I felt a responsibility toward her. Molly was already like a little sister to me. I knew Jack felt the same way about Callaway, so he’d be getting an earful from me later. He had to rein his ‘little brother’ in!
“Oh, he did, did he?”
“He says he’s keeping me so there’s no point in it.”
“Keeping you.”
She nodded earnestly. I knew none of the inner circle were pigs about women, but they could be high-handed with us girls sometimes. It irked me. Except when Jack did it, of course. When Jack laid down the law, it was always because he was worried or trying to protect me. Other than that, he pretty much let me do whatever I wanted.
Because Jack was just about perfect.
“All the Sons of Satan can be arrogant, but the inner circle is a whole other level.”
“How do you mean?”
“Dev, of course, but he’s President. Jack, Donnie, Whiskey, Lucky, and Callaway. Mac too, once he’s initiated. They call themselves The Devil’s Riders. And they are good men. But they are bossy as fuck.”
She covered her mouth at my profanity.
“Let me tell you something, Molly.”
She looked at me attentively. She was so stunningly beautiful it was kind of hard to believe. Her looks were pure and without artifice. She could have been plucked back in time to another century and she would look perfectly at home. And that look drove men absolutely batty with lust. It was just as bad as it had been with Kaylie. And when I went out with both of them together, forget it. It was like watching a parade. Or better yet, being on a float. All the heads swiveled to stare. And the few times we’d been out with Becky and Sallie too, it was even worse. It was almost like time stood still.
Jack said we were a dirty joke waiting to happen.
Three brunettes, a blonde, and a redhead walked into a bar . . .
I sighed. Having beautiful friends was a trial, but I didn’t mind. I didn’t compare myself to anyone. My girls were beautiful inside and out. And besides, Jack was fond of telling me I was beautiful. Every day, and not just once. As long as he thought so, I didn’t much care about anything else.
“My babies are the best thing that ever happened to me. I wasn’t sure I was ready, but I wanted to be ready. Do you understand?”
“I’m not sure.”
“I’m just saying don’t let him push you too fast. You don’t have to have a baby right away.”
“Oh.” She chewed her lip and shrugged. “Callaway wants one.”
“That man wants more than one.”
She giggled. “You think so?”
“Yes, I do.”
“How do you know?”
“Because once I learned to trust him, he started helping out with the kids sometimes.”
“Trust him?”
“In some ways, he’s even rougher than most of the guys. Wilder. And I’ve heard stories that would turn your hair white. But he’s a pussycat with the people he loves.”
“Stories?”
I shook my head.
“Not my place. But I will tell you without a doubt that he wants a houseful of kids.”
“A houseful?”
I nodded.
“He’s never happier than with children hanging off him. The man is a human jungle gym.”
I smiled to myself.
“Of course, no one is a better jungle gym than my Jack, but don’t tell Callaway or Whiskey I said that. They both pride themselves on being the fun uncle.”
“Said what?”
I rolled my eyes as Callaway walked in and scooped Molly up into his arms. He kissed her long and slow and deep. I cleared my throat.
“Keep it PG, please. There are children present.”
“Where?”
“Well, class starts soon, so there will be children present. Soon.”
He grinned at me and kissed her again, grabbing her ass and squeezing it. Then he lifted her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
“Any chance I could steal her a little early today?”
“I was supposed to help with the flyers!”
I shook my head and sighed but I was smiling.