Page 27 of A Moment In Time

“Just trying to help.”

Becca came up to the table. “I think you guys are doing this wrong.”

Wynter laughed. “No. Three times the fun this way.”

“Okay. Are we drinking champagne?”

Everyone but Corbyn raised his hand. “I’m on call.”

Becca cocked her head. “One glass won’t hurt.”

“Will you still think that if you slip and fall in the kitchen and need me to put stitches in your head?”

“Um…no. Iced tea?”

He nodded. “Iced tea with lemon.”

Becca left, then returned a few minutes later with five glasses of champagne and a glass of iced tea. After she set them all down, she asked, “Steak and baked potato? Or chicken parm?”

The three men and Wynter all ordered the steak. Cassie and Sydney wanted the chicken parmesan. Becca left the table and Rand lifted his glass of champagne.

“To old friends and new friends.”

Gage laughed. “And by old, you’re referring to yourself, right?”

Rand looked at him. “I’m not too old to kick your ass, young man.”

“Yes, sir. I have no doubt you could.” Gage picked up his glass and tapped it on Rand’s. “Cheers.”

Dinner was fun with lots of lively conversation. The whole evening may not have helped much with Gage’s social presence, but he was glad he was sitting across from Sydney and not Lily the librarian.

When the food was gone, and most everyone had moved onto the dance floor or were enjoying the music of the local band, the six of them were still at the table. When Corbyn’s phone went off, he sighed.

“That would be the clinic.” He answered the call, listened for a moment, then said, “I’ll be right there.” He tucked his phone away. “I need to go. I have a vomiting child to deal with.”

Wynter smiled. “Sounds like fun. Not yours, I hope.”

“No.” He looked at Cassie as he got to his feet. “Thank you for a wonderful evening.”

She nodded. “It was great.” She stood too. “Will you walk me to my car? It’s on the way to the clinic.”

“Of course.” He nodded to the rest of them. “This was fun. Not what I was expecting at all. Thank you.”

They all said goodbye and Corbyn and Cassie left the table.

Wynter reached across the table and took Rand’s hand. “Can I get at least one dance with you before you mosey on out of here?”

He grinned. “I think I can handle one dance.”

They headed for the dance floor and Sydney looked at Gage. “They are pretty darn cute.”

“Don’t tell Uncle Rand that. I don’t think he realizes that they are a they.” He looked at her for a moment. “I should spend some time in the darkroom. Paper comes out in two days.”

“Do you want some help? Or I guess company. I don’t know how much help I was Friday night.”

“Sure.” He finished his third glass of champagne. “Hopefully, the night air will clear my head a little.”

“I’ll make us some coffee when we get to the office.”

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