“You’re stunning,” I said.
“What did you do to your hair? I love it.”
“A blowout with a brush.”
“You’re real good at it. I look like an electrocuted cat whenever I try that.”
“It’s a simple tutorial on YouTube. I’ll send you the link.”
“Thanks.”
Thankfully, I’d been blessed with naturally thick, shiny hair that somehow resisted the daily abuse of being tied up and sometimes covered in a plastic cap. For tonight, I’d used one of those huge round brushes to straighten it and give it volume at the same time. I loved tutorials in all forms. I could of course have gone to a hairdresser, but it was faster to just do it myself. After Cole and I sat down, Josie and Hunter joined us. Ryker and his wife, Heather, and daughter, Avery, arrived soon after.
“Heather, I know we just met, but you need to tell me where you got your dress,” I exclaimed. It was dark blue, princess style with a silver thread at the waist.
“Thanks. I’ll show you their website later in the evening. That energetic kid who just ran to the children’s corner is Avery.”
“Nice to meet her too.”
“Let’s all sit,” Ryker said.
A while later, Isabelle, Ian, and Dylan joined us. The guys each hugged me, and Dylan whispered in my ear, “Thanks for looking out for Isabelle.”
I squeezed his shoulder lightly, smiling when I pulled back.
“Okay, everyone. Since we’re all here, let’s go through the plan tonight.” Tess touched the iPad in front of her, lighting up the screen. “So, I’m going to participate in the raffle. W
ho else is up for it?”
“What’s that?” I asked.
“If one participates in the raffle, each of their dances is being bid on,” Cole explained. “Typically all of us from the family participate.”
Wait a second... Did this mean Cole was going to be dancing with other women the whole evening? Hell, no. I pressed my lips together, looking around the table. Okay. I didn’t want to be selfish, especially since this was for a good cause, but still... Hell, no.
I was debating the best way to bring this up when Hunter burst out laughing.
“Your girl here is being territorial,” he exclaimed. Peering sideways, I realized Cole had been watching me. The tips of my ears felt hot, then my cheeks too. Damn, I probably looked like a tomato.
Ryker grinned. “Welcome to the club, Laney. Don’t worry, one of the signs in this group that someone is serious about their better half is being territorial. Own it. Live it.”
Hunter chuckled. “That’s right. It’s why out of all of us, Tess is the only one who still participates in the raffle. Lucky Isabelle, Ian, and Dylan have agreed to step in for us.”
Isabelle wiggled her eyebrows. “Even brought dancing shoes. I foresee having lots of fun.”
Ian and Dylan exchanged a glance.
“Was more fun when we had more competition, though,” Ian said, looking at his brother. “Now we know we’re going to rake in the most tickets.”
“You can still compete among yourselves,” I pointed out.
Dylan nodded. “True. But the more, the merrier.”
I laughed but leaned sideways into Cole, following Ryker’s advice. Yup, I was territorial, and not one bit afraid to own up to it. Cole chuckled, sliding an arm around my waist.
“I’m only dancing with you tonight, Laney. I was going to tell Tess to take me out of the raffle and to not even think about asking you to participate.”
Tess gave Cole thumbs-up. “Damn, Hunter. You’re right. Being territorial over dances is a thing. I feel like it’s almost a rite of passage. Transforming from self-proclaimed bachelor to... hmm, I don’t know the right word.”