Page 76 of The Emerson Effect
“I started following you guys on Cackle after Twila told me about your rivalry. You’re both hilarious,” I say.
Joey blushes, but grins, and Dallas lets out a chuckle, saying, “We’re not nearly as cutthroat as we used to be.”
Before I can respond, a trio arrives at the door, which is still standing wide open. Joey and Dallas step aside as Twila introduces me to Callie, Royal, and Raven. Callie and Royal are friendly and polite, and Raven seems to be sizing me up and finding me more lacking by the second.
Callie notices and sighs. “Raven, knock it off. Emerson, ignore her. She’s just trying to test your mettle by being as rude as possible. She wants to see how you’ll handle it.”
“Calliope Olive Barnes,” Raven growls. “Don’t fuck with the process.”
I grin at Raven, liking her instantly. She’s brazen and a bit growly, and I think it’s adorable. But I’d never say that out loud to her.
“Do your worst,” I say to her. “I can take it.”
Her lips twitch like she’s trying to suppress a smile, so I shoot her my full-wattage grin. She loses the battle and smiles back, and I feel like I’ve just won the lottery.
“Coming through. This is heavy,” a male voice calls out, and Raven’s smile flips upside down before she stomps away.
The rest of us move to the side as a man, presumably Royal’s brother, Linc, brushes past us. His biceps bulge and strain under the weight of the cooler he’s carrying, so I immediately offer an assist. He shakes his head as he moves past us, headed for the door that leads to the back patio. He reappears a few seconds later, approaching me with a smile and an outstretched hand.
“Sorry about that. I’m Linc.”
“Emerson,” I say as we shake. “Nice to meet you.”
I really want to ask Twila about Raven’s reaction to the man’s appearance, but it’ll have to wait until we’re alone. There’s a story there, I’m sure. There has to be.
My wife leads the way into the kitchen, where Dallas begins emptying bags of frozen burger patties and buns while Royal and Callie set out the condiments, sliced tomatoes, lettuce, onion, and pickles they brought. Raven stands in the corner, supervising while she sips on a canned cocktail, her eyes studiously avoiding Linc.
Oh, yeah. There has to be a story there.
The guys head for the back patio, and Royal pauses to wave me along with them. I meet Twila’s gaze, and she gives me a grin and an encouraging nod. I smile back at her, throwing in a wink for good measure.
She was right. Her friends are nice, and I’ve got this.
FORTY-THREE
Twila
“How is he even hotter in person?” Callie asks, and Joey smacks her sister’s arm.
“Your boyfriend is right over there.”
Callie grunts. “Just because I’m in love with the perfect man doesn’t mean I don’t have eyes, Josette.”
Joey snarls at Callie’s use of her full name, and I bite my lip to hide my grin. Everyone knows she hates being called “Josette.” With one main, exception, of course. Dallas calls her that, and it gets her hot every time.
Taking a sip of my spiked seltzer, I glance toward the grill. The guys are crowded around it, drinking beer and critiquing Dallas’ grilling techniques. Emerson is a natural fit in the group, laughing and tossing out barbs with the rest of them like he belongs there.
Like he belongshere.
“I still can’t believe you guys aremarried,” Raven says in quiet tones, pulling my attention back to our little group.
“You and me, both,” I say with a laugh.
“The weirdest thing is,” Callie says, watching me with a thoughtful expression, “that it seems to suit you. Emerson is great.”
“He is great,” I murmur.
“And that’s a problem?” Joey asks.
