Page 12 of Lemon Cake

Following Sarah, Rider led Gemma to his friends who were sitting on the patio under the sunshade. She was still holding onto him but not so tight that it seemed as if she was scared.

“Everyone, this is Gemma. Gemma, this is Jake, Tylor, Devon, and the one at the grill is Braiden.”

Gemma smiled at the group. “Nice to meet you all.”

“Why don’t you get your lady a drink and leave her with us?” Jake suggested with a cheeky grin.

Rider crooked his eyebrow and opened his mouth, but Gemma let go of his arm and found herself a seat. “Subtle,” she laughed.

“I like to get straight to the point.”

Gemma didn’t seem uncomfortable, so Rider felt assured that he could leave her side. “What do you like to drink?”

“Just a soda will be fine.”

He nodded and went to the cooler while Jake began his interrogation. Braiden grinned at Rider as he grabbed two Cokes.

“You feel safe leaving her with them?”

“She played football. If she can handle a bunch of teenaged boys high on adrenaline, she can handle them too.”

“They might snag her from you.”

“Ah, but I already know her kryptonite. I think I’m safe.”

Braiden laughed, giving him a shove back in Gemma’s direction. He sat next to her and handed over her drink.

“Apparently your woman kicked some ass in high school,” Tylor announced.

“I know.”

A warm, fuzzy feeling spread within him at the sound of someone calling Gemmahiswoman. It only intensified when she didn’t object, instead looking at him like he hung the moon.

Ina and Clara ran over with their hands filled with snacks. Clara was the older one and had just celebrated her fifth birthday, and Ina was three.

“Look at you gorgeous girls,” Tylor greeted them. “Ilovethose matching dresses!”

Clara started giggling shyly. “Thank you, Uncle Tylor. We have snacks!”

“And where are ours?” Rider joked, pulling Ina onto his lap. “Ina, Clara, this is Gemma,” he introduced.

“Are you Uncle Rider’s girlfriend?” Clara asked.

Gemma smiled. “Well, hedidtake me on a date.”

Clara squeezed between him and Gemma. “Where did you go?”

“He bought me hot chocolate and then some books.”

“I didn’t know Rider was such a romantic,” Devon snickered from behind them.

“I like books,” Clara announced.

“Me too,” Ina echoed.

“Ah, I see we’ve made some new friends,” Sarah laughed and came closer.

“Do you need help with anything?” Gemma asked.