Smitten(5)

“Come on,” Hunter said, dragging me past his mom and Chris. “You’ve got to meet Sheridan.”

His sister had turned on the barstool and was facing us, showing what I had missed before—her slightly rounded belly. She was pregnant. My eyes automatically flashed to the martini glass beside her on the counter, and she let out a little giggle.

“I see you’ve quickly assessed my condition. Don’t worry. Only virgin drinks for me. It’s great to finally meet you, Cami.” She brushed her long brown hair over her shoulder and extended a slender hand toward me. “Chris and Dylan have both told me so much about you.”

“Well, I hope it was all good.” I wondered what they could’ve possibly been saying as I flashed her a smile and shook her hand. For some reason, I felt an instant connection with her, but I wasn’t sure why, other than knowing how much Hunter loved her. She resembled Weston more than Connie—a softer, more feminine, version of her father.

“Only the best. Dylan’s quite smitten with you, which I’m sure you’re aware of. I’ve never seen him this happy before.”

I locked eyes with Hunter, and he wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me closer to him. “Is that true?”

“Yep.”

“Well, I’m glad. You make me feel pretty great too.”

“I bet he does,” Chris joked from behind me, and Hunter turned to punch him in the shoulder.

“You’re one to talk. We can hardly stand to be in the same room with you and Sheridan. You can’t keep your hands off her.” He gestured toward Sheridan. “Which is plainly evident,”

Chris laughed, running his hand through his short blond hair. “Can you blame me? Look at her. She’s hot!” He slid back into his seat beside Sheridan and leaned over to kiss her cheek. I was happy to see I wasn’t the only one here subjected to blushing skin. It was clear these two were crazy about each other.

It was interesting to see Chris in this kind of environment. I hadn’t had the opportunity to interact with him much when Hunter was undercover, and lately all contact with him had been related to the case they’d been involved in. He held a place of tenderness in my heart because he’d been the one to save Hunter’s life when Clay had attacked him. I realized I identified him as an all-business kind of guy, but that wasn’t the case when he was with his wife. He was a total romantic.

“Is there something I can do to help?” I asked Connie when she stepped back behind the bar. I looked around to see if there was more food that needed preparing.

“No, just take a seat and enjoy yourself. The kitchen staff is taking care of the rest.”

Staff? How many people work here? I wondered as I slid onto a barstool next to Chris. I couldn’t quite wrap my head around having hired help around all the time, but I guess the house was big enough it only made sense.

Hunter scooted his barstool closer to me and then sat down.

“What would you like to drink, Cami?” Connie asked, returning to her role of bartender.

“Do you have any soft drinks, or juice?”

“We have both. Anything in particular you’d like?”

“An apple juice if you’ve got it.”

“Perfect. We’re having apple martinis, so you can have your apples too.” She smiled and reached into a mini refrigerator under the liquor shelf behind her.

“I’ll take an apple juice too, Mom. I’m driving tonight, and I need a clear head,” Hunter said. He slipped his hand over and patted my leg affectionately. The sweet gesture made warmth spread through me. I was excited we were getting to spend the whole evening together. I placed my hand top of his, and he turned to link his fingers with mine.

“See, nothing to worry about,” he whispered softly against my hair.

“I like them all,” I replied in the same fashion, and he flashed a smile before giving me a tender kiss on the cheek.

His mom slid two apple juices in fancy martini glasses in front of us, interrupting our private moment. “Dylan tells me you’re a music major. We’d love to come hear you perform sometime.”

“That would be great. I’ve started classes, and we’ll have our first concert next month. I’ll be sure to invite you.”

“Wait until you hear her, Mom,” Hunter interjected. “She’ll blow you away. I’ve never heard anyone better.”

“Why don’t you sing something for us now?” Weston asked from the grill, and I choked on my apple juice.

Hunter patted me on the back. “Let’s not kill her all at once, okay, Dad? Give her a minute to get used to all of us. I’d like to keep her around a while longer.”