Right at that moment, Samuel came through the courtyard gate and smiled his boyish smile. I knew the next thing coming out of his mouth would be flattery. That man could be so difficult, fun, nice, and exhausting, all at the same time. “You look like you are ready to knock someone’s socks off,” and then he added, “You can knock all my clothes off.”

I shook my head and walked towards Kristof.

“Samuel,” Kristoff’s voice was calm with a hint of threat in it. “You make sure you keep your clothes on around Gemma.”

I rolled my eyes all the while smiling.

“We're all ready then?”

Betty started quickly matching up people since we had to go in several vehicles. Jonathan was going with Betty, Jack, and Sienna. Rick took all the little ones. Which left me with Kristoff and Samuel.

“C’mon, Gemma,” Samuel wrapped his arm around me. “Let’s go. Are you driving or you want me to?”

Both Kristoff and I warned at the same time. “Samuel!”

I stepped away from Samuel and closer to Kristoff. Realizing what I did, I went to step away but he pulled me closer and his hand wrapped around my waist. He was standing so close to me I could feel his heat.

“I see how it is,” Samuel teased playfully.

“Yes.” Kristoff’s voice was firm, but I sensed underneath he was laying claim. “C’mon, Gemma.” He put his hand on my lower back and nudged me to start walking. “I think you should drive since you know the area better.”

“Okay,” I answered breathlessly. Feeling his hand on me got me all tingly and made me want to drag him back upstairs into my bedroom, and forget about dinner.

Maybe I am all mellow towards him because I am pregnant with his babies. Or maybe I am just plain stupid!

I thought back to his proposal at the beach before Samuel interrupted the moment. Did he mean it? Or did he feel obligated because I was pregnant? I wished I knew for sure. He said there hadn’t been anyone for him since we met. There would be nobody else for me. I wanted to grow old with him and I hoped he wanted that too.

He opened the door to my Jeep, and I slid onto the seat, my dress pulling up accidentally to expose my thigh. His eyes lingered there. I quickly pulled it down, and he shut the door and came around to sit in the passenger seat. Samuel was in the back.

Kristoff casually wrapped his arm around my seat, and his fingers were playing with my pony tail wrapping my hair around his fingers. I put the Jeep in gear and drove us a short distance to the restaurant.

We were parked and getting out of the Jeep in five minutes. Samuel talked the entire time while Kristoff and I, on the other hand, were quiet the entire time. As we all entered the restaurant, Sierra, Saoirse, and Sienna all ran towards us and hugged Kristoff even before they hugged me.

“I am so happy you came too, Kristoff.” Saoirse was beaming.

“Ok, everyone. Why don’t we all go and sit down?” I suggested and turned to the restaurant owner who was approaching us.

“Hello, Mr. Giovanni. Sorry for last minute change. Could we add one more? We can all squeeze in together,” I asked in Croatian, smiling at him apologetically.

“Not to worry,” he answered in broken English. “We find seats.”

“I’ll take a seat next to Gemma and the girls.” Kristoff’s request showed that he was used to getting what he wanted. I cringed a bit at his demanding tone but Mr. Giovanni didn’t seem to mind it at all.

“I understand. We make it happen,” he responded to him, all beaming and smiles, as he walked away to get us all situated.

“Kristoff, you should stop bossing people around.” I told him quietly.

In a few moments, we all were seated at the table, and I was grateful I got a spot with the best view with Kristoff and my girls next to me. It was really disturbing how right it felt to have him with us. When he was with me and the girls, it felt like family.

He gave his attention to Saoirse and Sierra, while Sienna chatted with Jack. I caught Betty’s and Sophie’s look.

As if they were in sync, they both winked at me at the same time. I couldn’t help but smile and shook my head. I just mouthed a silent ‘no,’ but they both laughed and nodded yes. Betty glanced at Kristoff and then back again at me and a big smile spread across her face.

Get laid tonight,Betty mouthed, and I almost choked on my water, which prompted her to laugh out loud. Everyone looked back and forth between us, trying to pick up on our little inside joke.

“Are you two done making inside jokes?” Samuel tried to get in on it.

“Yep, we are done,” I answered, smiling sweetly at him. “And don’t be jealous, Samuel. It is not a good look on you. We can’t help that we are so much cooler and funnier than you.”