Cream,” Becki answered, knowing the girls loved ice cream as much as she did. It was a genetic thing.
Looking at the new message on her phone, Clarissa exclaimed, “oops… gotta go. Talk later!”
She scooted out of the kitchen and disappeared up the stairs in the blink of an eye, as she headed toward the privacy of her bedroom.
“Ok, fine, don’t mind me,” Becki yelled up the steps. “I guess I’m chopped liver,” Becki muttered to herself with a grin.
#
Royce and Sean drove into the cul-de-sac in Royce’s new red Corvette 3ZR. After spending two years trapped in a box at the bottom of the ocean, he figured he deserved a little extravagance. His new baby would go from zero to sixty in 3.4 seconds and rode like a dream. Sean had been like a kid in a candy shop when they had walked into the dealership.
He parked carefully, blocking in Becki’s car as Sean had suggested. Just in case.
Natie bounced out of the garage as they walked up the driveway. Royce noticed that Sean seemed a little flushed, maybe even nervous.
“What’s up?” he asked Sean very quietly.
“Uh…nothing,” Sean answered, seemingly unable to take his eyes off the petite blond headed their way.
“Ahhh,” Royce said, “nothing. I understand.”
“Hi guys,” Natie said as she approached them. “Nice wheels you’ve got there.”
Sean seemed to have trouble swallowing at the moment. Royce sensed it might have something to do with the blue-eyed blond standing before them.
“Thanks,” Royce answered, “and thanks for the dinner invitation.” He handed Natie the smaller of two bouquets he carried with him.
Burying her nose in the blooms, she peaked up through her lashes and admitted, “Yea, about that-- Becki doesn’t exactly know you were invited.”
Royce smiled.
“Don’t you make me sorry I did this,” Natie warned, lifting her nose from the fragrant blooms.
“You have nothing to worry about,” Royce assured. “I promise you. Where is she?”
“She is in the house bugging the girls right now. Come on, I’ll get you both a cool beverage and introduce you to everyone.”
As Natie escorted Sean and Royce into the garage, Kurt and Landon immediately stood. Natie had explained that she had invited both men to join them for dinner.
Kurt had spoken with Ryker Senior a few hours ago, and Ry had assured him that Royce was one of the best team leaders in the history of ART. The fact that his father was the highly respected and highly decorated Aaron St. John helped to smooth any remaining doubts Kurt might have had. From what Ryker said, Royce was following very closely in his father’s footsteps. Kurt had filled Landon in on the conversation just before Natie and Jonah arrived.
“Welcome,” Kurt said as he extended his hand in greeting.
Royce quickly transferred the large bouquet of flowers to his left hand and shook Kurt’s hand with a firm grip.
“I assume you talked with Ry?” Royce guessed.
“You bet. I look after what is mine,” Kurt said with a grin, and then turned to shake Sean’s hand as well.
“Kurt Rodgers,” he introduced himself to the younger man, “and this is my friend Landon Smith,” he continued nodding toward Landon who was standing a few feet away. “Grab a beer, and make yourselves at home.”
“Thank you, Sir. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sir” Sean said as he shook Kurt’s hand.
As Sean turned to greet Landon, his wrist meter began vibrating. He stiffened immediately as he turned to face Royce with wide eyes.
Shit! Kurt had forgotten about the hi-tech gadgetry ART had access to. That damn watch had picked up on Landon’s secret. He smoothly inserted himself between Sean and Landon fully aware that Natie and Jonah were watching with avid curiosity.
Making direct eye-contact with Royce, Kurt said, “Landon has been my best friend for more than twenty years. We have no secrets,” he continued, “and he protects my family as if it were his own.”
Kurt had effectively addressed any concerns Royce and Sean might have had while at the same time skillfully dancing around secrets that needed to be kept.
“Understood,” Royce said extending his hand to Landon. “Royce St. John, we met earlier today. Nice to see you again, Sir. Sorry about that,” he said softly, nodding toward Sean who was currently resetting his watch-gadget.
“No problem,” Landon said.
As he noticed the huge bouquet Royce was still clutching in his left hand, Landon raised an eyebrow.
“Pissed her off, huh?” he guessed.
Royce released a heavy sigh of regret and confirmed Landon’s suspicion, “Yes, Sir, in a big way.”
Natie danced over