Page 67 of The Red-Hot Stakes

Mr. Davenport shook my hand, and I was relieved not to have another hug ambush.

“Pleased to meet you, Gina.” His broad smile reminded me of Liam’s.

“You as well, Mr. Davenport.”

“None of that. Call me John. If Liam’s bringing you to meet us, we know you’re special enough to be sticking around for the long haul.”

Liam’s cheeks were a bit pink. Evidently he didn’t bring women here often. Warmth spread through my chest, and I was even more glad I’d agreed to come today.

“John, Ilsa, you have a lovely home.” I couldn’t help another sweeping glance of the room and its beauty, while they murmured their thanks.

We chatted for a few moments, me answering the usual questions about what I did, how we’d met and the like. Liam caught them up on his business ventures. Then his parents excused themselves to make the rounds of their guests, leaving us on our own.

“Liam!” A very pregnant lady waddled over to us, her arms outstretched.

Liam let go of me once more to hug her, gingerly. “Rayna! I didn’t expect you to be here.”

She glared at him. “I’m pregnant, not dead.” Her attention turned to me. “And who might this be?”

“I’m Gina, Liam’s girlfriend.”

Liam slid a hand to the small of my back as I shook hands with his sister.

“I’m Rayna, the oldest.” She glanced back at Liam. “You didn’t tell me she was so pretty.”

I hid a smile, the warmth in me amping up. He’d been talking about me.

“Desi is going to be so jealous she missed this.” Rayna’s grin was pure evil. “I’m going to text her right now and gloat. Nice meeting you.”

Liam chuckled, happiness in every inch of his face. “That wasn’t so bad, was it?”

“No, but the night’s not over yet. How long are we staying?”

He checked his phone. “We don’t have to leave for dinner for another hour. Is it okay if we make the rounds? There are some people I’d like to see.”

I nodded. Although it wasn’t my first choice, I could tell it was important to him. I would allow myself to be introduced to a bunch of strangers and go through all the small talk in my repertoire for him.

He was worth it.

Half an hour later, Liam had been dragged off by some old friends. He’d left me with Rayna, who was a delight, but she had to use the bathroom. I was all out of chit chat and over the shocked looks I kept getting, so I stepped outside, onto a terrace overlooking a huge lawn. It was a warm day for October.

Shouts sounded to my right, so I peeked around the corner. Three boys threw a football back and forth, chasing each other. I’d bet they were Rayna’s kids. The oldest couldn’t have been much more than ten. I laughed as the youngest tried to tackle the older one, who didn’t budge. All three of their heads shot up as Liam appeared.

“Uncle Liam!” They were like monkeys, climbing all over him.

After he’d hugged each one to their satisfaction, he snatched up the football. “All right, go long.”

And they took off. He tossed it to their general area, a perfect spiral, high and arcing. The middle one caught it, and they raced around before throwing it back .

I’d always enjoyed a game of catch, and it was a hell of a lot better than returning to the party. I slipped off my heels, waiting for the perfect time. The older one caught the next toss, and he wound up to throw it back to Liam. I took off, arriving just in time for an interception.

“What the—?” Liam’s shocked voice was enough to send me into a fit of giggles as I raced across the lawn. “Gina!”

“Quick,” I called to the boys. “Which way’s the goal?”

Liam sounded exasperated when he yelled, “It’s called an end zone.” He finally caught me. He circled my waist with his two strong arms, swinging me around in a circle. “I’d tackle you, but I think grass stains might ruin your look.” He tossed the ball to his nephews then focused once more on me. “That was some interception.”

I raised my chin haughtily. “Just ’cause I don’t know all the details, doesn’t mean I don’t know how to catch a football.”

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