Page 86 of Sass

I covered her hand with mine and changed the subject. “You don’t usually do pick-ups after a game. This is unusually wifely of you. I’m impressed.”

“Shut up.” Jenn rolled her eyes and I guessed Kevin was in deep shit with his wife. “He’s tanked, the idiot,” she grumbled. “They had a huge win against whatever team they were playing and then over-celebrated. His ride is too pissed to run him home. Or at least that’s how Kev’s playing it. Men. Bunch of toddlers, all of you.”

“Hey,” I protested. “I’m at least a teenager.”

She looked me over and sighed. “I have eight words for you, brother-in-law. Kentucky Fried Chicken and Wheel of Death rollercoaster.”

“Oh god,” I groaned, the memory alone enough to set my stomach churning.

“I think I should hear this story.” Chris wandered out, looking way too comfortable in the flat, and Jenn’s gaze zeroed in on me.

“We’re playing with Bo-Bear,” Susie announced, her hand tucked securely into Chris’s while Bo-Bear himself was nestled into the crook of Chris’s other arm. “He likes Kip.”

I didn’t blame him. And the sight of Susie and Chris hand in hand almost melted me on the spot. At least until Chris caught my eye with a warning look that clearly said,don’t make more of this than it is.

To Jenn, he nodded seriously. “It’s been an honour. The bear has style. Right, kid?” He smiled down at Susie and my niece returned an adoring gaze most other people had to fight for.

And oh god.It was nothing new. Chris had always been good with SusieandJenn. Hell, I’d spent two years supremely jealous of their easy relationship with him when mine was... not.

“Well, well, well. Kip.” Jenn looked slyly between us, a huge grin in place. “Fancy you being here. And on a Sunday as well. I almost didn’t believe it when Leon told me.” She was clearly trying not to laugh, and I groaned and shook my head. “I take it my brother-in-law finally got his head out of his ars—butt and asked you out?”

Chris’s lips turned up in a smug little smile and he arched a brow my way.

“Don’t.” I stabbed a finger at him. “The last two years was not just my fault, and you know it. Tell her how many times I tried to—no, you know what, don’t do that. Don’t say another word.”

Chris kept grinning, the little shit.

“How many times you did what?” Jenn looked between us.

“Nothing.” I folded my arms. “Absolutely nothing.”

Jenn sighed and raised her palms. “Nope. Forget I asked. I suspect I don’t want to know the answer. I’m just happy you guys finally saw what everyone else saw.”

I threw her a withering look. “And what was that, dearest sister-in-law?”

She grinned. “That you two couldn’t possibly dislike each other that much without there being something simmering beneath it all. It’s been like watching two planets on an ever-decreasing orbit toward some inevitable collision. You were either going to implode spectacularly or merge into a brilliant star.”

Chris broke into a laugh and I glared at my sister-in-law. “Don’t you have somewhere to be?”

She waved me off. “Kevin can wait. This is way more interesting. Besides, he’ll kill me if I don’t get all the details I can before I leave.”

I rolled my eyes. “Fat chance of that, so I suggest you be on your way. The man must be a saint to have you as a wife.”

Jenn laughed. “Well, we all knowthat’snot true.”

“Goodbye, Jenn.” I walked to the front door and opened it.

Jenn followed, her smug grin not dimming for a second. At the door she turned and called Susie over. “Gotta kiss for Mummy?”

Susie immediately ran across, tugging Chris behind her. “Mummy going to get Daddy?” she checked.

“Yes, sweetheart. Mummy’s going to get yourwonderfulDaddy,” Jenn answered, rolling her eyes.

“And you’re staying with us.” I ruffled her hair and tried not to stare at the comfortable way she leaned against Chris’s leg. “We’re gonna have lots of fun.”

Jenn popped a kiss onto Susie’s head. “Bye, blossom. Look after your uncle and make sure he’s a good boy.”

“I’m always good.” I stepped back to open the door and accidentally stood on Chris’s foot in the process.

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