Chloe said, putting a waffle and fruit on her plate. “I’ve got time.”
“Don’t worry, babe. I’m not in a hurry,” Justin said as Hadley plucked a piece of fruit from the plate. “I have a lot of road to cover before I strap a baby seat to my bike. But I do know of a few dogs and cats who need good homes.” Justin looked around the table and said, “Who’s coming to the Wicked Animal Rescue adoption event this weekend?”
“Harper told us about it,” Emery said excitedly. “Dean and I are going to swing by and see if we can find a pup that won’t mind living with two crazy cats. But we have to come by early. We’re meeting Tegan and Jett at Dean’s parents’ house for lunch.”
“Wait until you see the introduction boards I’m making for the animals.” Chloe told them about her newest project and about the bows and bow ties that Tori, Evie, and Sid were making.
“I want to go just to see all that.” Desiree patted her baby bump and said, “We’ll try to stop by, but between Cosmos and the baby, Rick and I are going to have our hands too full to care for a new pet.”
“And I have all I can do to keep up with Hadley,” Daphne pointed out. “Sorry, Justin.”
Chloe eyed Serena. “You and Drake could use a fur baby while you practice making a real one.”
“We’ll try to stop by,” Serena said. “But I’m not sure if we’re ready for a pet just yet. We’re still in barely-making-it-through-the-door-before-getting-naked stage.”
Justin’s gaze collided with Chloe’s and a crooked, conspiratorial grin slid into place. They were in that stage, too, and she was in no hurry to leave it.
He winked and turned his attention to Serena. “Even if you can’t make it to the event, why don’t the four of us grab an early dinner at the Salty Hog Saturday night? You can get to know me and my family better,” Justin suggested casually.
The hope in Justin’s voice told Chloe it was more than a casual suggestion. The day after she’d told him about that horrible night at the Salty Hog, he’d said they never had to go back. But she’d reminded him that they were making better memories to erase the past. He knew how much Serena meant to her, and the fact that he thought about bringing her along to try to build those better memories, further blending their worlds, made her fall even harder for him.
“We’d love that.” Serena raised her brows at Chloe and said, “Meeting the family sounds serious.”
“Oh, we’re serious.” Justin’s eyes locked on Chloe and he said, “I’ve got lots of future plans for me and that beauty over there.”
Chloe’s heart tumbled in her chest.
“Speaking of future plans, your birthday is coming up in a few weeks, Chloe. Ticktock,” Serena teased.
“How old are you going to be?” Daphne asked. “Wait, you were twenty-nine last year, right?”
Chloe looked at Serena, and they both said, “Twenty-nine. Always twenty-nine.”
“When Chloe turned twenty-nine, she decided she would never admit to being any older,” Serena explained.
“How long ago was that?” Daphne asked.
“Sorry, sister from another mother, but I cannot reveal that information.” Serena looked at Chloe and said, “Are we still on for our annual birthday lunch, or is that tabled now that you have a man in your life?”
“Who am I? Mom? I’m not going to ditch my girlfriends because of any man.” She looked at Justin and said, “Sorry. I hope that didn’t sound mean, but…”
“I have yet to hear you sound mean to anyone, babe,” Justin said as he cut a waffle for Hadley. “I knew you had lunch with the girls last year and assumed you would probably do it again. But I’m hoping your schedule is clear for the evening.”
“If hers isn’t, mine is,” Daphne said, looking dreamily at him and Hadley, causing everyone else to laugh.
Hadley wiggled out of Justin’s lap and climbed into the empty chair between him and Daphne. She sat up on her knees and continued plucking food off Justin’s plate.
Justin set a seductive stare on Chloe and said, “What do you say, sweet cheeks? You and me on your twenty-ninth birthday?”
“For you, Mr. Wicked?” Chloe teased with an arch of her brows, thinking about last night when Justin had texted her after his church meeting asking if she was still busy with the girls. His timing had been perfect. She and the girls had enjoyed their time together, and