Page 33 of Never Quiet

She walked into her grandmother’s loft and smiled at Noel and Rick. Her aunt’s gaze landed on her. “There you are. I was getting worried.”

“Uh, I texted everyone I was going running. Davis and I stopped for coffee. We got to talking and lost track of time.”

Noel grinned. “Girl, I’m aware. We’re going to let the guys take marching orders from Nate before Mom causes a mutiny. All us girls are going to get pampered. Morgan and Harrison reserved half the spa for us.”

Amanda grinned. “The little girls, too?”

“Oh, yeah.”

Clapping her hands, she turned to Davis and said, “When we get back, I’ll help with your tie and do your hair.”

Nate entered behind them. Throwing his arm around Davis’s shoulders, he said, “Extra arms. My relief is intense. I need you to tag Harrison and Morgan out. If Morgan breaks one more tool, I’m going to ever so slightly raise my voice.”

Davis looked confused. “I don’t…how do you break a tool?”

“That’s a funny story.” He leaned down and kissed Amanda on the cheek. “I’m stealing him. His dad is on the way over. Get your grandmother out of this building immediately.” To Noel, he added, “Three hours. Don’t bring her back one second sooner. By then, I’ll have kidnapped everyone to the nearest sports bar and she’ll have no power.” His sister started to reply and he smiled evilly. “I’m taking Bill. All the muscle.”

“Excellent thinking. Alright, I’ll snatch her from downstairs once Lizzy and Zoe are ready with the girls.”

Davis handed Amanda his suit and followed Nate out. She’d just gotten out of the shower when Harrison and Morgan appeared in the living room looking exhausted.

“I’m inviting myself to the spa!” Morgan shouted at her. “Get dressed. I need a mimosa.”

Harrison hugged his partner. “It’s alright. Nate isn’t even upset. I have no clue why you thought a drill was needed.”

“You use power tools all the time. I just thought they were an every situation sort of thing.”

“I love you. No more tools. Stop this weird attempt to man up or whatever it is you’re doing. I love you exactly as you are. Every second of every day.”

Sighing, Morgan said, “I love you, too. Apologize for me.”

“Are you kidding? I’m going to the spa. I use power tools to create not do useful things. I have no clue what they’re doing.”

They turned and looked at Amanda wrapped in a towel. Morgan put his hand on his hip. “Something comfortable. Hustle.”

An hour later, Caroline, Noel, Zoe, Lizzy, Amanda, Callileah, Morgan, and Harrison were ensconced in the spa. Julia and Heather were fascinated.

Their beloved Harrison grinned as the female staff, and some of the male staff, fell over themselves around the most famous male supermodel in the world.

Noel wasn’t without her share of fame due to the workout videos they did together but she definitely was not approachable like Morgan.

Beside Amanda, Callie murmured, “These poor people will be catering in lunch. They don’t know it yet but his pout will make them offer.”

Laughing, Amanda announced to the adults, “Why don’t Callie and I take the girls with us while you get massages? There’s no way these angels will be able to control how ticklish they are.” She added, “They have that big soaking pool. We’ll let them swim and you guys can relax.”

Heather was a good swimmer at two but Julia was an expert swimmer at three. The two girls played together as the older showed the younger things she’d learned from her coach.

“They’re so cute,” Callie said softly. “Bubbly and full of life.”

“You sound pensive. What’s up?”

“Amanda. There’s something off. I know it. I feel it. My dads don’t but they’re so happy, sweet, even silly all the time.”

“Your experience has been a lot different.”

She shrugged. “I love my family. You know how much. I get the distinct impression there’s something people are keeping from me.”

“Harrison and Morgan? They’re terrible at keeping anything to themselves.”

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