Page 109 of Designs on You

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

It had been a good couple of days. Eugene had missed having his family together, and Mom showing up with Warren and Joe had been a huge surprise. The fact that Natalie fit in so well with his family, however, wasn’t a surprise at all. She was currently having a girls’ day with his mom and Hazel, the threesome apparently having become besties in a matter of two days. Not that that should surprise him. He’d gotten close to Natalie quickly. She was warm and open and easy to talk to, and his mom was the same way. It was logical that the two of them would bond.

Today he was on the golf course with his brothers and Joe, and they were talking—of all things—babies.

“So the baby is due in early November,” Joe said, unmistakable excitement in his voice.

“Which means, if it comes early, it could be a Halloween baby,” Linc said. “Do they put the newborns in costume in the hospital?”

Warren rolled his eyes. “No, jackass. They’re babies.”

“Oh, come on,” Eugene said. “If it’s a Halloween baby you have to bring it home in some kind of costume.”

“You’re both assholes,” Warren said. “And now I’m hoping it’s born in November.”

“Then you could dress it like an ear of corn.” Linc grinned.

Eugene shrugged. “A pumpkin still works.”

Joe shook his head, but his smile was evident. “Worst uncles ever.” He looked over at Warren. “You know we’ll never be able to trust our child with either of these two.”

Warren nodded. “Obviously.”

“Hey.” Eugene frowned. “I’ll have you know I’m great with kids.”

“Based on what?” Warren asked.

“I hang out with Natalie’s kids all the time. They like me.”

Linc snorted. “I think he pays them.”

“No, I’m just a genius with children.”

Warren coughed. Joe snickered a laugh. Linc said, “I think I’ll just ask Natalie.”

“You do that,” Eugene said.

They walked the next couple of holes, and while Linc lined up his next shot, Warren came up beside him. “Taking us teasing you about kids pretty seriously, huh?”

“Hey, I like Natalie’s kids. And they like me back.”

“I know that. But we’re your brothers. We’re supposed to give you shit, you know.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“So what is it that irritated you?”

He gave Warren a look. “Honestly? I don’t know. Maybe it’s because I’m the youngest and no one expects me to ever grow up. But I have, with responsibilities that I take seriously. I sometimesthink you and Linc still see me as that goofy kid you used to push around and make fun of.”

Warren frowned. “No one thinks that about you, Eugene. You’ve made a tremendous success of your life. And Natalie is amazing. It’s obvious she cares about you. I haven’t met her kids so I can’t judge you on that. Yet.” He gave Eugene a wink.

“Well, you will tonight since we’re all having dinner at her place.”

“True enough. So I’ll withhold judgement.”

Eugene was about to say something, but Warren gave him a teasing smile, so instead, he rolled his eyes, and they walked on.

Their golf game was fun, though Eugene sucked at it. But his brothers and Joe enjoyed it so it was something he endured in order to hang out with the guys. After, they had lunch at the clubhouse and talked all about their lives.

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