just glad that one of them had a full-sized SUV, and I still didn't know how we'd fit. The moment Ian stopped, Seth got out of the front seat, and people began shifting places. Ian pointed at Gabby and gestured for her to take the passenger seat beside him. I ended up in the second row next to Lane.
Then, instead of heading into the middle of the community, Ian picked up Ashley next. The problem? There weren't any more seats. Granted, we were only going a couple of blocks, and it was all inside the community, but things were about to get very tight. Ashley, however, didn't hesitate. She went right for Lane's door, opened it up, and crawled onto the big guy's lap.
"This," she said, looking at Gabby, "is very illegal, and you should never do it."
My daughter giggled in understanding, but the damage had already been done, and it wasn't like Ashley was a good influence to begin with. I also wasn't dumb enough to think kids always behaved when their parents weren't around. That didn't mean I missed how Ian had put my child in the one seat that wasn't crowded and had a seat belt. Yeah, it was another mark in his favor, and Seth's, who'd given it up for her.
When we pulled up to the community civic building, getting out reminded me of a clown car. Granted, when I saw the lack of parking - just like Ashley had said - I was glad we'd decided to cram together. Otherwise, I would've ended up parking a block away and walking in the drizzle. Listening to Gabby have a meltdown because she looked like a wet dog? Not worth it.
But I didn't make it more than a step before a hand landed in the middle of my lower back. For a fraction of a second, I wasn't sure which man it was, and I tried not to look worried as I glanced over. Ian was smiling, almost like he could read my mind.
"Presents?" he asked, the question for the entire group.
Pax twisted his way out of the very back. "Got 'em."
Gabby held up her card. "Got mine."
"Then let's do this."
Together, the eight of us made an entrance. For me, it was my first time in this building, and I was a little surprised at how nice it was. I probably shouldn't have been - Wolf's Run had a reputation, after all - but this looked like the kind of place where girls would want to get married. Large columns decorated the corners, and big windows were trimmed with elegant curtains down the length of the building. The floors were wood that had been polished until it looked almost liquid. The arched ceiling had lights running across the beams, giving it a more youthful feel.
Then there was the music. I couldn't even name the genre, let alone the band, but Gabby grinned in recognition. It seemed the center of the room had been cleared out for dancing, horseplay, or whatever else the kids intended. Around the side were dozens of tables for the adults, and right at the front, one had been set aside for gifts.
"Put your card there," I told Gabby, "then go do your thing."
"Thanks, Mom." And she was off.
Ian chuckled at her, then steered me to the side, easily taking control. I let him. This whole event was a little outside my comfort zone. In my mind, birthday parties were held at home, not in a rented facility with an actual DJ to supply the music. Behind us, the rest of his roommates and Ashley all moved in different directions, as if they intended to work the crowd. And here I'd thought we were supposed to be relaxing today. Evidently not.
"Have you met Roman's parents yet?" Ian asked, his voice pitched to be private yet still somehow deep enough to be enticing.
"No," I admitted. "I didn't want to get all carried away with her first boyfriend."
He gave me one of those devious smiles. "Let's fix that."
Our feet turned toward the front of the room, and people looked as we passed. I could almost feel his hand burning into my back. What would the residents think? Was this crossing some line? No, Ashley said it was ok, and he was simply being a gentleman. I would not overthink this. Unfortunately, I wasn't sure the residents would feel the same.
But there, at the foremost table, was a couple about my age. When we got close enough,