Page 53 of Headed for Home

I almost spit out my final sip of mimosa even though the creative title should be expected. He told Garrett and Grace that I’m responsible for his permanent erection. My blush was probably visible from the moon.

“It’s very nice to meet you,” Callie says.

“Likewise,” I croak once I find my voice. “Congratulations on your engagement.”

She sighs and gazes longingly at her fiancé. “Thank you.”

Ridge scrutinizes me under a microscope that zooms in and detects my intentions. “You must be the unfinished story.”

I bounce in my boots. “Oooooh, are we writing a book?”

The big guy shrugs. “Might as well. He can’t stop talking about you.”

“Unless there’s another Cassidy with a set of testicles in her bag.”

“She gets me.” Drake lifts my hand that’s clasped in his to kiss along my knuckles. “I can’t wait to get your name tattooed on my ass.”

“Yours is gonna look spectacular across my left boob.”

His eyes heat. “Don’t tease me, woman.”

“Wouldn’t dare.”

“No wonder you two weren’t part of the welcome wagon. Lost in your own world,” Ridge grumbles.

“That’s calling the pitcher offsides,” Drake jests.

Ridge blinks. “The fuck?”

“Love is grand, eh?” Drake winks at his friend.

I ignore the flutter in my belly. He’s not using the term for us, obviously. We’re celebrating Ridge and Callie and the upgrade to their relationship.

“Thanks for having us. This is a great party,” I gush.

Ridge narrows his eyes. “Thanks for barging into my house uninvited.”

“We never stepped foot in your home. Harper let us into the yard through the side gate.” Drake blindly gestures at the general area. “Besides, you’re not mad about your future wife’s smile. Thank the hostess of the roastest for that.”

Ridge snorts, but a glance at Callie defrosts his steely exterior. The dude might as well be gelatin as he melts toward her. “You’re happy, sweetness?”

She beams at him like he put the stars in the sky. “This was a great surprise.”

He grunts again. “Harper deserves a raise then.”

Drake hoots, pumping a fist in the air. “That’s the spirit, Crusher.”

The guys begin bickering like brothers. Their friendship is clearly ride or die, built on trust and loyalty. Warmth spreads through me watching them interact. Drake deserves to have solid rocks in his corner.

When I shift my gaze to Callie, I notice she’s already staring at me. “Is there something on my face?”

It’s meant to be a joke, but she nods. “Were you crying?”

That’s when I realize my makeup probably resembles a splotchy painting left out in the rain. I swipe under my eyes, that minimal effort smudging my fingers with black. Trash panda status is fully activated.

“Um, is there a bathroom I can use?”

“Of course,” Callie rushes to say.

---