Page 143 of Their Wicked Ways

“And now we’ll be finding confetti for the next ten years.” Ez ruffled Nick’s hair playfully.

Nick pirouetted out of his reach with a mischievous grin.

“Not it.” River looked around the hallway.

“Not it?” Noah asked.

“Not it for cleaning this up.” He waved his hand around.

“It’s biodegradable.” Nick waved dismissively. “Nothing to worry about.”

“Biodegradable doesn’t mean self-cleaning.” Zane slung his arm over Nick’s shoulder.

“Knock knock.”

We turned to find Quinn, Tristan, and their son, Leo, at the door.

“Hey, come on in.” Wes waved for them to enter. “Watch the confetti.”

“This was a choice.” Quinn looked around, then zeroed in on River and Nick. “I’m gonna guess it was you two.”

“Who, us?” River blinked innocently as Nick hid the remnants of the confetti bomb behind his back and smiled serenely.

“Happy housewarming.” Leo beamed a big smile at us and held out an envelope.

“What’s this?” I asked as Ez took it from him.

“Just a little housewarming gift,” Tristan said.

Ez opened the envelope and pulled out a gift card.

“It’s for a bed-and-breakfast just outside of town,” Quinn explained. “That’s enough for a weekend away, meals included.”

“This is too much.” Ez handed the card to Wes so he could see it.

“It didn’t cost us anything.” Tristan held up his hands in surrender. “We stayed there a few months ago, and they were running a contest. I put my business card in the bowl, and they pulled it.”

“You should use it.” Wes passed it to me.

“We want you to have it.” Quinn’s grin was wicked. “Celebrate the big three-oh and mourn the end of your youth in style.”

Ez shot him a flat look. “You had to remind me of that.”

His birthday was next week, and we’d all been teasing him about it mercilessly.

“Yup.” Quinn cuffed Ez on the shoulder. “You were relentless when I turned thirty. Time to reap what you sow.”

“Fair enough,” Ez conceded.

“Does anyone want a drink?” Wes asked.

“I’ll help you,” Tristan offered.

“Me too.” River followed them into the kitchen.

“Stay out of the cupcakes,” I called.

“What’s that?” River called back. “Eat all the cupcakes? Don’t mind if I do!”

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