Page 80 of Captivating Mr. Second Chance

“And I’m Gem, the resident antagonist.”

Laney didn’t have anything to add to that, and all four of the girls laughed.

Ethan threw his arm around her shoulders. “Which one are you?”

“Laney’s the glue,” Gem said. Bronte and Sam nodded in agreement.

“That’s why I’m stuck to you, huh?”

“Jesus Christ.” Dean groaned like he had a stomachache and tossed his hands out. “I’m going to get changed.”

Laney watched as her brother stomped upstairs, loosening his tie. He hadn’t even changed out of his work clothes, and yet he’d opened up a beer, evidenced by the bottle on the coffee table.

“He texted me to come over,” Ethan murmured in her ear.

“Maybe he’s upset that I interrupted your guy time.” Laney pulled her lips to the side, wondering if she should take her call somewhere else, but Ethan only held on to the hand in her lap.

“Don’t worry about it,” he said. “Dean’ll be fine.” Then he looked back to the screen. “So, I guess congratulations are in order?”

Ethan charmed the girls for the next few minutes, and Laney was even more in love with the man than before she’d walked in the door. She could tell her friends approved of him too. Bronte was almost in tears by the time he’d finished explaining why he wanted to start the nonprofit, and Gem and Sam were likewise impressed with his travels and easygoing storytelling.

Right before they hung up, Bronte slipped in a reminder. “I know it’s a long way off, but I’m going to be confirming our rental for New Year’s. It’s a cabin outside of Tacoma, seven bedrooms, three bathrooms, sauna and hot tub, game room, wraparound porch, and not that we’ll want to use it, but it also has an outdoor pool.”

“Sounds good to me,” Sam said.

Gem sucked air through her teeth as she grimaced. “We’ll have a second kid with us by then. Is that still okay with everyone?”

Bronte rolled her eyes likeof course, and Laney brought her phone close to her face. “Can’t wait to see you all, especially the newest little blob and smoosh her face.”

“Okay, well, it’s time for me to have my third popsicle for the day,” Gem said and signed off.

Bronte and Sam followed suit, leaving Ethan and Laney gazing at her blank screen.

“You think they like me?” Ethan asked, removing his glasses to swipe the hem of his shirt over the lenses.

“Theyloveyou.”

“Yeah?” When Laney nodded, he grinned and popped his glasses back on. “What’s up with Gem’s popsicles?”

“She gets really sick when she’s pregnant. Can’t keep much down until the last trimester.” She cuddled in closer to Ethan’s side, and he skimmed the tips of his fingers down along her shoulder and arm as she hummed thoughtfully. “Maybe we should do a couples Zoom so the guys can meet you too.”

“Their boyfriends need to vet me too?”

“Two of them are married, but yeah, kinda.” She tipped her head back to him. “If you’re going to come with me to the cabin, it’s probably best if you’re not meeting them for the first time.”

“Cabin?” Ethan asked as Dean clomped back down the stairs.

“That’s what Bronte was talking about. It’s a new thing we’re trying to do. Annual New Year’s vacation, all together. Bronte’s planning the whole thing. You want to come?”

“Yes.” He kissed her temple. “Definitely.”

Dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, Dean grabbed his car keys from the side table. “All right, let’s go.” He gestured for Ethan to follow him out of the front door. “I texted Hank to meet us.”

Ethan got up from the couch. “Where are we going?”

“Birthday drinks,” Dean said, and when Ethan looked between the Hargrove twins in confusion, Dean sighed, scrubbing his hand over his beard. “I figured you’d be going out with Laney tomorrow, so Hank and I want to take you out tonight. Plus, it’s most likely the last time we’ll see him for a while with the baby due next week.”

Ethan snapped his fingers in recognition. “Right. Right.” He leaned over, kissing Laney on the mouth. “Talk to you later.”

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