Page 65 of Won't Back Down
“Also your fault,” Bree declared. “You’re the one who made me watch Ted Lasso like twenty times through.”
“Because it’s basically the world’s most perfect show.”
“We should totally have a watch party,” Gabi announced.
“I’m in.” I was always in for Ted Lasso. “Roy, come.”
My dog trotted over, vibrating with joy as he and Keeley sniffed each other from head to tail. Both of them wagged madly before dropping low in play bows.
“Awww, I think it’s love,” Gabi crooned. “Please tell me he has his own AFC Richmond jersey. Because that’s a photo op that shouldn’t be missed.”
“Well, now you’ve given me goals. That would be adorable.”
“Are we gonna plan a canine fashion show, or are we gonna get started on food?” Hoyt asked. “Because I’m starving.”
“Far be it for us to allow you to wither away,” I teased.
He patted his flat stomach. “This firefighter requires a lot of fuel, man.”
“Let’s get everything loaded up to carry down to the beach? The boys have already hauled the picnic table and extra camp chairs down, and the wood’s been laid for a bonfire. We can let the dogs go play.”
It took a couple of trips up and down the steps that led to the beach before we finally got everything, but eventually the fire was lit, seats were claimed, and we were all digging into the cowboy caviar and guacamole.
Jace kicked back, a beer in hand. “Well, nothing about where I’ve been and what I’ve been doing can be talked about, because it’s all classified, so everybody update me on y’all. Gabi, I understand you’re back on-island. Congratulations, Dr. Carrera.”
“Thank you! I loved New Orleans, but it’s good to be home.”
Caroline draped an arm around her sister’s shoulders. “Now that she’s getting settled, I had planned to hook her up with a nice island boy so she stays put.” Her gaze slid to Daniel in a mix of challenge and speculation. “Are you planning on becoming an island boy, Daniel?”
Gabi rolled her eyes. “Caro.”
If Daniel was bothered by the question, he didn’t show it. “Well, here’s the thing, cher. Your sister and me dated near the whole time she was in residency. Right ’round when she was finishing up, I got offered a promotion with a transfer clear across the country. I let ambition cloud my thinkin’, and I chose wrong. Which I figured out ’bout two minutes after I got to Seattle. Took me a few months to rectify the situation and finagle a postin’ at Nag’s Head to try and win her back again.”
“And how’s that working out for you?” Bree drawled.
Daniel grinned. “Favorably, so far. She ain’t kicked me to the curb, which was more than I expected when I got here.”
Gabi leveled a long, heated look in his direction. “Yeah, well, being locked down together for the hurricane gave us a chance to clear some things up.”
“Is that what they’re calling it these days?” Bree asked.
Gabi promptly hurled a chip at her head, which Keeley snatched right out of the air.
Hoyt scooped more guac onto a paper plate and studied the other man. “You make her happy, we won’t have a problem. You hurt her, she’s got me and four other brothers who will make sure nobody finds your body.”
We all froze.
Hoyt winced. “Sorry about that. Epically inappropriate, under the circumstances.”
Daniel lifted his beer. “Message received, either way.”
Forcing a bright smile, I said, “How about we make a rule that there will be no other discussion of unpleasantness tonight?”
Echoes of agreement went around the group, and I settled a little.
“We have a long overdue girls’ night we need to plan.” Guilt slithered through me as I realized how much time had passed since we’d run into each other at the bakery. “I’m sorry I haven’t reached out about that like I promised. I’ve kind of had a lot going on.”
“Girl, it’s no problem.” Gabi leaned over to replenish her collection of chips. “I hit the ground running at the clinic, so it’s not like I’ve had a ton of extra time, either. Let’s get something on the calendar.”