The Gritty Truth (The Whiskeys Dark Knights at Peaceful Harbor #7) - Melissa Foster Page 0,110
her on the head and said, “I know, but I’m trying to fix that,” and went to check out the two-level castle Josie and Sarah were making.
“Roni, are you and Quincy still coming over Christmas morning to open presents with the kids?” Gemma asked.
“We wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Roni said.
“Good,” Gemma said. “Lincoln made a special gift for his Booful.”
“He says the cutest things.” Finlay dipped her finger into the icing again.
“So does his uncle, about Roni.” Penny looked at Roni and said, “Every time Quincy buys you a present, he calls to tell me because he’s so freaking excited, he’s afraid he’ll tell you by accident.”
“I know. He told me he called you,” Roni admitted. “But I do the same thing to Angela. I’m having so much fun shopping for him. I swear we’re like kids when it comes to the holidays.”
“Jed said he’s never seen Quincy so happy,” Josie said.
“I believe it, because Angela says the same thing about me, and it’s true. I never thought I could feel like this. I remember when I went to Juilliard, I was ecstatic. I thought it was everything I could ever want. But it was different, you know? Nothing compares to coming home every day to Quincy. I wake up, and I’m smiling. I go to bed, and I feel safe and happy and good all over. I never imagined having a boyfriend, much less falling in love and living a life that feels like a dream. This sounds corny, but it’s like Quincy and I were made for each other. I even told him I’d do the Winter Showcase.”
“You did?” Penny exclaimed. “That’s awesome. He must be thrilled. We all have tickets to watch Kennedy dance. I can’t wait to see you perform.”
“I think Lincoln might lose his mind seeing you dance,” Gemma said. All the girls chimed in excitedly.
“Sounds like we’ll have a full house.” Roni was happy they’d all be there, but a nagging thought was clawing to get out, and she knew this was a safe place to release it. “I’m a little nervous about it. Quincy is so excited. I hope I don’t disappoint him.”
“Girl, please.” Penny shook her head. “Quincy is so in love with you, you could get onstage, do one twirl, take a curtsy, and he’d applaud like you’d danced in The Nutcracker.”
The girls all agreed. Roni knew it was true, and she could already feel herself calming down. “You’re right. He loves me unconditionally.”
“Hey, maybe I’ll get a sister-in-law soon,” Gemma said excitedly.
Roni laughed. “We just moved in together.”
“Maybe Potty is next up on the marriage list,” Finlay said with a tease in her eyes.
Penny glowered at her. “I told you not to call us that.”
Finlay giggled, eating more icing.
“You two were very affectionate at dinner Friday night,” Sarah said. “Bones and Bear have already made a bet about who will marry first, you and Scott or Roni and Quincy.”
“Tell them to save their money and bet on Roni and Quincy,” Penny said.
“Uh-oh,” Crystal said. “Is Scotty having bedroom issues?”
“Crystal,” Josie snapped. “He’s my brother, and I don’t want to know that.”
“Well, if it makes Penny unhappy, she has to be able to talk about it,” Sarah said. “We didn’t have loving role models. But maybe the guys could give him pointers.”
“Bullet sure could,” Finlay said with a snort-laugh.
“Truman, too,” Gemma agreed.
“Bear knows all the dirty tricks,” Crystal said. “You should see how he—”
“Stop!” Dixie said. “There is a brother ban on sex talk.”
“Josie and Sarah, cover your ears,” Penny advised them, and Josie covered her ears. Sarah pulled Josie’s hands off her ears as Penny said, “Scotty is totally awesome in that room and every other room. I never imagined falling for a guy as hard as I am.”
“Then why did you pull out of the wedding race?” Izzy asked.
Penny glanced at her and Finlay, and Finlay rubbed her belly, a frown forming on her face. Roni and Penny had talked more last week about Scott not wanting a family, and Roni knew how heavily it was weighing on her. From the way Penny began focusing on her gingerbread house, it was obvious she didn’t want to talk about it.
In an attempt to get the focus off her friend, Roni said, “There’s not really a wedding race, is there?”
“Of course not,” Crystal said. “But once one of our guys claims a woman, it never seems to take long before they’ve got a ring on her finger and a