Page 40 of Brides and Brothers
Flynn and Sage studied each other, and it was clear that it was for the first time. There was absolutely no recognition in either of their eyes.
“What’s the name of your band?” Sage asked.
“Diehard Punks.”
While Sage squinted and thought, Camille prayed silently for some way to get the two to connect.
“Maybe I have. Do you play at the club by the park?”
It was a very vague description, so Camille almost forgot to breathe when Flynn nodded.
Sage snapped her fingers. “Yeah, I think I have seen you perform. Your band is good. You’re the lead guitarist, right?”
Flynn’s cheeks lifted, which was the only sign he was smiling under his beard. “That’s me. Hard to forget this red hair, but it seems you did for a moment.”
Sage pointed at his beard. “I think it was the red hair that brought it all back.”
Busying herself with the dishes behind her, Camille slowly backed out of their conversation, which quickly turned to favorite styles of music. She was extremely satisfied with herself. Without any prodding of her own, Raina and Macey had placed themselves between Cade and Daegan. Everything was going beautifully!
With her finger, Camille counted the chairs down to Benson, Daisha, and Emma. Uh oh. A trio meant a brother had escaped. Camille’s eyes darted over the room, naming her brothers-in-law.Easton!
Camille hurried to the hallway that led to the boys’ rooms and stopped.
This was uncharted territory for her. In the two weeks of her marriage, she hadn’t once enteredthathallway. It was their part of the house, not hers. After poking her head down the hall, she decided it was time for Aiden to intervene. Her plan wouldn’t be successful unless they were all matched properly.
Camille turned and ran headlong into Aiden’s chest.
“Finally decided your husband deserved some ice cream, did you? You must’ve left it somewhere, because I see your hands are empty.”
Camille groaned. “Aiden, this is more important than ice cream. Easton is hiding from me. He has to meet Emma, or my plan is doomed from the beginning.”
“Doomed?” Aiden chuckled. “This whole idea was a long shot from the beginning. I think you should send my brothers to play basketball in the barn while you ladies have arealgirls’ night.”
She frowned. Did Aiden always have to be right? Her enthusiasm waned as she realized how much she’d interfered. She’d practically pushed Benson on Daisha; although, the two were deep in conversation and seemed content. At least they were polite enough to talk to each other. Wait, where was Emma?
Camille glanced over in time to see Easton and Emma talking by the ice-cream maker. Success! Easton must’ve gone to the bathroom or some other temporary destination. The two left with their dessert and crossed through the double doors to the family room, where they sat down next to each other on a couch. She slapped her hand on Aiden’s chest and squealed under her breath.
Aiden’s gaze followed Camille’s. “Unbelievable.”
Camille wiggled her eyebrows in pleasure. “I guess, in the end, I was right.”
“Don’t get too excited.” Aiden scowled. “This is one night. What if Daegan and Cade both fall for Raina? Where does that leave poor Macey? There are too many variables, and this could blow up in your face. Forcing them to like each other might not work out, and I don’t want you to be dis-appointed.”
“I know,” she agreed, her conscience battling her enthusiasm. At least Aiden wasn’t against it outright. “I won’t force them, just influence them. ‘Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.’”
“You’re using the Bible against me?”
“Whatever it takes.” Camille grinned. She was determined to marry off her brothers and get Aiden all to herself.
Aiden rolled his eyes. “It’s out of context, and you know it. That scripture was not written for matchmaking.”
“A little persuasion won’t hurt anyone. You have to admit it worked with your brothers and the cereal.”
Aiden shook his head. “Excuse me while I get some ice cream and watch my brothers fall madly in love.”
Camille grinned. She knew he’d see the light.
An hour and a half later, Camille shut the door behind Daisha and her other friends. She couldn’t quite read Daisha’s expression, but Macey’s was very clear. The thumbs-up to Camille didn’t quite equal the enamored face she gave Daegan. Camille waited ten seconds and did a fist pump. “Yes!”
