Page 57 of Silver Linings
“You are terrible,” Lily laughed. “Do you know who that woman is talking to Gage?”
Gunner looked towards the grill and nodded. “I think that’s Sloane. Gage said he was going to invite her.”
“Really? He wanted to invite her?”
“I think the team wanted to. She works next door to us. Apparently, she’s some type of shrink.”
“I don’t think therapists actually like that term.”
“Maybe they should talk to someone about that.”
“Gunner. Don’t be like that. Let’s go say hi. If he invited her, maybe there’s something going on between them.”
“Lily…” he grumbled.
“No. We can’t just sit by ourselves and be anti-social. These are your best friends. I want to get to know everyone better.”
“Fine. But I want Sage.” He scooped the baby from Lily’s arms before she could protest. Lily laced her fingers through his like it was the most natural thing in the world and for a moment, he felt like maybe it was.
“Using my daughter as a shield?”
“More like protecting our girl from all the hands that want to hold her.”
Lily laughed. “I think it’s too late for that.”
“Yeah, well, it’s a good reason for me to scowl.”
She rolled her eyes and pulled his hand, but Gunner dropped behind just far enough to get to enjoy the view of her walking ahead. When had her ass become so perfectly heart-shaped?
Gunner shook his head as he caught Gage smiling at him.
“What are you smiling at?”
“I think you know. Should I tell Lily?”
“Tell me what?”
“Nothing Lil,” Gunner turned to the redhead standing next to Gage. “You must be Sloane.”
“Yes.” She extended her hand out, and he shook it. First read, the girl was shy. Her bright red hair and freckle-covered face made her stand out, but her body language screamed, please don’t look at me. Interesting.
“I’m Gunner. This is my wife, Lily, and our daughter, Sage.”
“It’s so nice to meet you, Sloane. Gunner was telling me you’re the other business in our building.” Lily took over chatting and Gunner was glad. He hated small talk.
“It was so nice of Mr. Montgomery to let me stay when he bought the building. I know there are more renovation plans in the works, but I’ve loved having him as my landlord so far.”
“Are you joining us for self-defense classes in a few weeks?”
“Mae certainly would like me to, but I have to see if it will work with my schedule. I have a few clients who can only meet at night, so I try to be flexible to accommodate them.”
“That’s really nice. Very small-town friendly of you.”
“I do what I can. Silver Springs has been a great community to move into, but I’m sure you see that firsthand.”
Lily only made it five more minutes into her conversation with Sloane before the extra water she’d been drinking to make sure her supply stayed up for nursing Sage turned into a problem.
“I hate to ask because you’ve been holding her for a bit, but would you mind keeping Sprout for a minute so I can run to the bathroom? I’ll come back and nurse her when I’m done.”