“If you’re talking about me, shouldn’t I be in it?”
“No,” they both answered without looking at him.
“Ah ha,” Cole huffed and tried to hide his amusement.
“I think it’s fine, Livi.” John wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
“Will you join me later?”
“I’ll try.” She reached up and gave him a hug before she hurried off downstairs.
“Pssst,” Savi whispered to John, who made a motion like he was playing the piano. “Oh, okay.”
I stayed quiet through the rest of dinner in order to observe the men and their families. A few things were for sure. They all loved and respected one another. Shit and insults were tossed out constantly, but there was always a line they never crossed, and when Livi returned a while later and sat on her father’s lap, the tone at the table lowered and the topic was immediately changed to kid-friendly things.
I’d heard many stories over the years about the great team Blackstone, but I never thought I would be here at their massive dinner table surrounded by their stories and laughter.
“Thank you so much, Savi. Dinner was amazing.” I threaded my arms through the sleeves of my jacket.
“I’m really glad you joined us. Breakfast is normally around eight, but if you sleep in, as I’m sure you must be tired after your travels today, you’re welcome to anything in the kitchen. Our house is yours. Oh, and here.” She handed me a basket. “Just a few things you might need and want down at Tin House.”
I thought it was sweet they called it that. “That’s very thoughtful.” I leaned in and hugged the woman who felt more like a sister in one night than my best friend had ever been.
John appeared with his coat and took the basket from my arms.
“I’ll walk you back down to the house.”
“Oh,” I wasn’t excepting that, “okay.”
“Have a good night.” Savi closed the door behind us with a devilish grin.
Once again, my heels tried to find their way through the gravel, and my balance was slightly tested.
“I get women love heels, and so do I, but those are not Montana boots.”
“Are you more of a four-inch heel guy, or do you go big and do six?” I teased.
“Six,” he responded, deadpan.
“Now, that I’d like to see.” I laughed. “Listen, I spend a lot of time either in a book or a courtroom, so any chance I have to wear my boots or high heels like these, I do.”
“I’m not complaining, just pointing out the simple fact that you’re,” I stumbled, and he caught my arm, “going to break your ankle.”
“Yeah, but what a way to go.”
He smirked, and I couldn’t help but stare.
“What?”
“You just really looked like an Eastwood.”
“I hate Savi.”
“Why?” I started to move again. “How is that not a compliment? I would love for someone to say I looked like a sexy celebrity.”
“Are you calling me sexy?”
“I…” This time, I stumbled over my own words. “I’m just saying…” A loud panting noise caught my attention, and I froze. “Do,” my words froze in my throat, “you hear that?”
Suddenly, John stood straighter and stepped next to me then shouted in a big, booming voice, “Stop!”
In a blur, a giant German shepherd came to a screaming halt in front of us, his tongue lolling out of his mouth while he waited for his next command.
“Oh!” I loved dogs. “Who is this big fella?” I bent down and held my hand out toward him.
“Okay,” John ordered, and the dog wagged his huge tail and licked my hand. “This is Tripper.”
“Hi, Tripper. Nice to meet you.” I rubbed his ears as he pushed his head into my stomach. “Oh, my, you’re a big baby, aren’t you?”
“Not normally.” John chuckled. “Normally, he will get in between me and whoever is with me.”
“It’s because you know I wouldn’t hurt a fly.” I addressed the dog and kissed the side of his face. His happy noise told me he liked it. “Oh, someone likes kisses, doesn’t he? You’re a big flirt.” If a dog could look deliriously happy, his face was a picture of it.
“Seriously, Tripper?” John shook his head. “Compose yourself.”
“Don’t listen to him.” I let him kiss my face. “I love a dog that loves to be loved.”
“This dog has taken down more men than I can count. I’m not exactly sure what’s happening right now.” Tripper was now on his back, paws in the air, waiting for a belly scratch. John looked mortified. “He’s like a