Page 124 of Someone to Watch Over Me

Iris has gone to the other room and leads a handsome man with four young kids following him into the kitchen. “Everyone, this is Luke Freeman and his kids, Nolan, Beckham, Clarissa and Phoebe.” All of them have light brown hair and brown or hazel eyes. The girls have adorable freckles left over from the summer. The kids are seven years old and younger. Dear God…

We go around and give him our first names as he makes a valiant effort not to look overwhelmed.

Christy’s son, Shawn, comes over to ask the boys if they want to play Xbox in the den.

They look relieved to take off with him.

“Josie, come see Clarissa and Phoebe,” Christy calls to her daughter.

Josie comes into the kitchen, all legs and coltish beauty. “Hey, guys, you want to come hang with us? I’m trying to keep the little kids from destroying the house.”

The sisters look at each other and decide to go with her.

“I’ll be right here,” Luke calls after them as they dash off to find some fun. “I know that was probably planned in advance, but I appreciate that you guys knew how to make them feel at home.”

“We’ve got you, pal,” Christy says.

His eyes fill, and he looks away, embarrassed.

Iris goes to him and hugs him.

“Thank you,” he says softly.

“I’m Angela, and I’m new, too. Three kids—seven and under.”

Luke shakes her hand. “Nice to meet you. I think.”

They smile in solidarity at being new to the group and having seven young kids between them.

Gage gets a beer for Luke and a glass of wine for Angela.

“Are those your kids, Angela?” Joy asks.

“Yes, that’s Jack and Ella. My youngest is at home with my mom.”

“Let’s go outside,” Iris says. “It’s so nice out, and Gage will light the fire.”

25

Lexi

I love the outside of their house as much as the inside. Like everything with Iris, it’s warm and inviting. We fill plates with crackers, cheese, dip and appetizers and land on the sofas that surround the firepit. Tom sits on a footstool next to me, his arm propped on my knee as he drinks from a water bottle he brought with him. He had a couple of sips of champagne at lunch earlier but has mostly given up drinking alcohol after the heart attack.

Naomi and Kinsley arrive together, followed by Adrian, Wynter, Xavier and baby Willow.

We make room on the sofas, and I end up next to Wynter and Willow.

“My goodness, she’s pretty, Wynter.”

“Isn’t she? I know I’m not supposed to say that, but whatever. She’s stunning.”

“She really is, and you can say whatever you want about her.”

“I agree.” She nudges my arm. “So that’s the new guy, huh? I hear he’s quite terrific.”

Tom, who was talking to Trey, Gage, Derek and Luke, turns back to us. “I can hear you.”

“Oh, and he’s cute, too,” Wynter says.

---