“Well, what we need here is a plan.”

“A plan?”

“Yep.We’ll call it Operation Get Rory Laid.”

“Uh….”

“I’ll have Dakota invite Ryan over to a giant slumber party with him and the rest of my brood.I’ll make sure they have all the junk food I can buy and I’ll rent the latest new releases and let them have at it.They can take over the bar area with their sleeping bags and shit.And I’ll have Zander drag out the projector screen to put the movies on.”

“Um… I don’t think the men will like giving up their bar for the kids.”

“Ask me if I care?”

“Okay then, I don’t think the men will listen to you,” I tell her and that’s when she gets this wide grin on her face.

“Hey Diesel!”she yells across the room.Her voice carries easily, even over the music and talking.

“Yo,” he says looking over at us.He smiles at me and I hesitantly return it.

“Can you order the men to go in town for theirfestivitiestomorrow night?”

At that question, the room goes quiet.

“Why would I do that?”Noah asks.

“I’m going to need the bar area for the kids.My brood’s going to have a giant sleep over.”

“Dani, I don’t think my men really want to?—”

“I’ll be inviting Ryan,” she adds and I just hold my head down at this point.Noah is many things, but the man is not stupid.He doesn’t need a house to fall on him.

“Ryan?”

“Yep.He’ll be with my kids…all night.You got a problem with that?”

“I’ll make sure the men give you the room,” he says right away.

“Thought you might,” she laughs and then turns back around.

“I hate you,” I mutter, afraid to look at Noah at this point.

“Did you know that you blush the same shade as your hair, Red?”

“I’m currently plotting your murder,” I warn her.

“Oh stop.I’m just being a good friend.Besides, I’m not doing this out of the goodness of my little heart.”

“You’re not?”

“Nope, I’ll want payback.”

“I’m almost afraid to ask,” I grumble.

“You get to watch over my bunch for a night, while I take Zander back to our lake house and remind him of all the ways he should be grateful I claimed his ass.”

I think this over.Dani and Crusher have a lot of kids, but they’re all older than Ryan—with the exception of their little girl.I think I’m probably getting the better end of the deal.Plus, I’ll hopefully get more time with Noah.

“It’s a deal.”