smile.
I saw Ginny bristle at the comment like when I’d called her dependable. As if the qualities I’d stated were bad qualities. Her family obviously saw her in a similar light, but calling her a grandmother only annoyed her.
“She’s right,” Mayson said with a sigh. “There isn’t anything else if we want to keep Edie’s surprise a real surprise.”
Everybody kind of stood there waiting for someone to take charge and make a final decision. It was obvious the missing Edie was whose opinion they needed most.
“We’re taking it, then,” Ginny said firmly.
Nobody argued, but some moans and groans went through the group.
“We’ll meet back here in the morning,” she added on, staring everyone down. “Nine?”
More groans, but nobody said no. They were all just agreeing to roll up their sleeves for their parents and aunts and uncles. For their cousin who was having a baby. In L.A., we had a tight-knit group with Uncle Seth, Aunt PJ, my parents, Keith, and Locke. We would do anything for each other, but the normal L.A. attitude I experienced was more along the lines of What’s in it for me? This group had nothing in it for them except a place to party on New Year’s Eve and the love of their family. It was pretty incredible.
“I’m starving,” Mayson said. “Who’s in for pizza?”
Ginny shook her head. “I promised I’d help Eliza with the packing.”
“Stephen and I have to help Dalton with a situation,” Ty announced.
Mayson frowned. “Please don’t tell me he has an angry husband after him again.”
Ty chuckled. “It wasn’t Dalton’s fault! The chick wasn’t wearing a wedding ring, didn’t tell him she was married, and then called her husband to pick her up from the hotel. But no, there’s a situation with Reese and her ex.”
“Is Reese okay?” Ginny asked.
Ty nodded. “Yeah.”
“Who’s Reese?” Maleena asked.
“She’s our horse trainer,” Khiley responded. “Her dad was the trainer before her, and she grew up with all of us. She’s Dalton’s best friend.”
Ty snorted.
Every single one of the women in the room narrowed their eyes, but Ty wasn’t even looking at them. He was busy with his thumbs on his phone. The silence eventually drew his eyes up. “What?”
“Tell me you aren’t using your fists?” Maleena crossed her arms over her chest, ready for battle.
Ty glanced at Stephen who looked away. The two men had shit going down that they definitely didn’t want the women involved in. It was so categorically chauvinistic that it made me want to laugh. A macho male exhibit that Grace would normally rant about for hours.
The women in the group seemed to be of Grace’s mind on the subject.
“Getting arrested for assault and battery isn’t going to win you a spot on the draft list,” Maleena argued.
“Look,” Ty said, shoving his phone in his pocket, eyeing all the women. “I can’t say what it’s about because I can keep my trap shut, not like some of you. But this can’t just be let go. It’s not that kind of situation.”
“Do you need help?” Mayson suddenly offered, and Grace and I both dropped our jaws in shock. Not only did Mayson avoid male stereotypes, he also hated being pulled into the dramas of his Tennessee family.
“Nah. I think Dalton, Stephen, and I have it covered, but we’ll call you if anything changes. Lord knows you won’t answer a text.”
“I’d say don’t do anything stupid, but it’s wasted breath,” Khiley said. “Just be careful.”
As we made our way to the door to leave, I wished Ginny was coming with Mayson, Grace, and me to get pizza. I wasn’t ready for the time I’d spent with her that afternoon to end. Especially not when I knew for a fact I’d almost gotten the kiss I’d dared her to give me. If the others hadn’t shown up, her lips would have been mine.
For now, I’d have to accept the fact I wouldn’t see her until I showed up with Mayson and Grace in the morning. It meant the script for Dylan wouldn’t get worked on as much as we’d planned, but the truth was, Mayson and Grace could handle it alone, if needed, while I was in Ireland. The changes could be done later, while this―the things happening right now―had to be experienced and lived in the moment.
And that was exactly what I intended to do.
♫ ♫ ♫
When I opened the curtains on the hotel windows the next morning, a bright glare from the sun bouncing off the snowy crystals blinded me. I