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Eventually, Trevor, Joe, and Chris made their way downstairs to join the group.

“What the hell do you have on?” Gavin laughed, his eyes wide on Trevor’s attire.

Wearing his finest fishing hat and vest scattered with hooks and little plastic worms, Trevor sniffed haughtily. “Whatever, dude.” He poured some coffee into a Styrofoam cup and turned back to Gavin. “At least I get on the damn boat.”

Each of the men—except Gavin—broke out into laughter. He just shook his head with an amused grin on his face and let the partial insult slide.

Trevor slapped him on his back. “Is
the
Gavin Blake speechless?”

Standing up to refill his coffee, Gavin smiled. “Go ahead, lay it on me, assholes. But, in my defense, it comes from my mother’s side of the family.”

Emily drew up a confused brow. “You don’t go on boats?”

Gavin’s smile was slow, making his blue eyes sparkle. “Technically, I can, but not when the water’s choppy like this morning.” He took a sip of his coffee. “I get slightly seasick.”

Dillon stood up, walked over to him, and slapped him on his shoulder. “Slightly? You wind up praying to the sea gods to get you through the trip without puking.”

Shaking his head, Gavin tossed his boat keys to his father. “Okay, each and every single one of you need to get the hell out of my house now,” he laughed. “And that’s including you, too, Pop,” he quickly added.

Chuckling, Chad walked over to his son and patted him on his back.

The conversation and laughter flowed while the men took a few more minutes preparing for a day out on the water. Making sure they had enough ice, food, liquor, and night crawlers to last until the afternoon, they felt they were good to go. Emily trailed behind, following Dillon to the door to kiss him goodbye and let him know to take it easy on the drinking. She watched the group make their way into the dewy morning air and down to the boat.

After closing the door, Emily turned and found Gavin sitting at the island where he resumed his position—coffee in one hand and his eyes intent on his morning paper. She went to walk upstairs, figuring now would be a good time to wake Olivia and Tina, but before she could, Gavin called out to her and asked her to take a seat with him.

As she moved toward him, she gave herself a fierce mental talk. She enjoyed hanging out with him a little too much last night, and because of that, she had more than just a physical attraction now. Tingles of something she had never experienced raced through her, and a strange anxiety permeated her bones by his close proximity—more so than before.

And that…that wasn’t good.

As she took a seat next to him, Emily tried to ignore the way his just-fucked-looking black hair went in every direction. It made him look…well…even hotter.

Tossing a hand through that just-fucked-looking black hair, he placed the newspaper down and smiled. “I wanted to give you fair warning that within a few hours the house is going to become a little…chaotic.”

“Oh, how so?” she asked, fidgeting with the hem of her dress. “I thought your guests wouldn’t be here until after three.”

Gavin’s eyes flicked down to her thighs and then back to her face. He tried to swallow. “Well, the caterers and the company that sets up the tents will be here soon. If you like, we can go down by the beach or get in the pool together.”

Emily shifted nervously, her gaze holding steady on his.

“I mean,
you
…you can go down by the beach or in the pool,” he corrected quickly.
Jesus Christ.
He slowly dragged his teeth over his bottom lip.

Watching his lips a little too intently had her pushing her seat away from the counter to stand up. “Yeah, I’ll see.” She walked over to the stairs. “I’m just going to…uh…go wake up Olivia and Tina now.”

He nodded, and she trotted up the stairs.

Emily gave a quick knock at the door, and Olivia yelled out for her to come in. When she entered, both women were already in the midst of getting ready to leave.

“Why are you packing now?” Emily asked. “I thought you two weren’t leaving until after three.”

Olivia tossed the last of her items into her backpack. “Tina’s mom is sick, so she called asking if we could get out there earlier to help cook.” She stretched her body out. “Ugh, I’m really not looking forward to this drive back either.”

Emily pressed her lips into a tight line and sank down onto the bed. Letting out a sigh, she leaned against a pillow, noticeably flustered.

Olivia looked at her. “Why do you look so freaked out about us leaving? You knew I wasn’t staying the whole weekend.”

“Because he didn’t go fishing with everyone else, and I’ll be stuck here alone—with him.”

“That’s right—the whole seasick thing. I forgot.” A mischievous grin slid across Olivia’s mouth. “Why would you be upset about being here alone with him? I say it’s the perfect opportunity to get a little taste of something…yummy,” she laughed.

“Damn it, Olivia!” Emily spat. “I’m not kidding anymore! Stop with your bullshit!”

Olivia stood aghast, like a deer in headlights, as Emily pushed to her feet and tore past her. Stalking down the hallway, Emily entered her room, tossed her suitcase on the bed, and started packing her things.

Olivia cautiously entered the room. “What the hell are you doing, Em?”

“I’m leaving with you guys,” she hastily answered. “I’m not staying here alone with him.”

Olivia walked over to her and grabbed her by the shoulders. “Friend, calm the fuck down, okay?” Emily pulled away and continued to pack. “Em, his mother, sister-in-law, niece, and nephew should be here soon. It’s not like it’s just going to be the two of you.”

Emily abruptly stopped packing. She flopped herself onto the bed, placing her fingers on her temples in an attempt to relax her racing thoughts.

Olivia sat next to her. “What’s going through your mind?”

Emily shook her head, her voice barely a whisper. “I hate that I actually like the way he stares at me, Liv. I hate the way I can’t stop myself from staring back. I hate that he’s Dillon’s friend and that we’re all here this weekend.” She looked into Olivia’s eyes and paused a moment. “And I hate that I have any of these thoughts to begin with. I owe so much to Dillon. I shouldn’t be thinking anything about his friend.”

Placing her hand on Emily’s shoulder, Olivia’s face softened. “First, you need to stop feeling like you’re completely indebted to Dumbass, Emily. He did what any good boyfriend would’ve done. Nothing special.” Emily closed her eyes and swallowed, feeling that Dillon went beyond her expectations. However, she wasn’t going to argue the issue, so the point was moot. “But really, Gavin’s family will be here soon. Also, how would you explain to Dick that you just left out of nowhere?”

Emily contemplated her question. She was right. When Dillon returned, even if she were to use the playing-sick card, she knew it would just cause him to miss a great day because he’d drive back to the city to be with her.

Emily nodded, seeming to calm down. Drawing in a much-needed deep breath, she rose to her feet and pulled a book from her belongings. “Well, I’m just going to stay in here and read this until I hear them arrive.”

Olivia smiled and stood up. “Okay, you do what you have to do then.” She walked over to the door after hugging Emily. “I love you.”

Emily curled up on the bed, flipped open the book, and tried to relax. “I love you, too, Liv.”

And that’s exactly what Emily did. She read that book. Hell, she finished it and started reading it again, but eventually dozed off during her second attempt of keeping her mind off the threat that was behind the door. It was just past noon when she heard car doors closing. From a corner window, she peered down and saw two women walking toward the home with two young children following behind them.

Recovering from her earlier state of panic, Emily made her way downstairs. Gavin was correct. The house was buzzing with caterers dressed in black and white, preparing a smorgasbord of food. When she couldn’t find him among the frenzied scene, she strolled out to the backyard. Under a dozen large white tents, workers draped red, white, and blue linens onto tables while hollering out song requests to a DJ that was setting up in the corner. Huge festive centerpieces consisting of silver stars anchored a patriotic array of balloons at each table.

Emily scanned the crowd and locked eyes with Gavin from across the yard. He immediately smiled and motioned for her to join him.

As she approached, he looked concerned and leaned into her ear. “Are you alright?” he whispered. “Olivia said you didn’t feel well when she left.”

“Yeah, I felt a little ill earlier, but I’m better now.”

He cocked a disbelieving brow. “Are you sure?”

With an answering smile, she nodded.

“Well, let me know if you need anything, okay?”

“I will, thank you.”

“Not a problem.” He smiled and turned in the direction of one of the women Emily saw pull up to the house. “Mom, I’d like to introduce you to Dillon’s girlfriend, Emily. Emily, this is my mother, Lillian.”

“It’s very nice to meet you, Mrs. Blake.” Emily offered to shake her hand but felt pleasantly surprised when the woman leaned in to hug her.

“Call me Lillian, kiddo,” she exclaimed, her large green eyes twinkling when she released her hold on Emily. “Mrs. Blake makes me feel old, and I’m far from it.”

“Alright, it’s very nice to meet you, Lillian,” she laughed.

“Atta girl.”

Emily smiled and studied her striking features. She would’ve never guessed she had two older children or that she was ever sick with cancer no less. Her chestnut hair, twisted up in a flattering way, glistened against the sun. Her sweeping cheekbones and flawlessly golden skin had not a hint of age touching it.

“My sister-in-law, Melanie, is around here somewhere,” Gavin stated as his gaze roamed over the backyard. Before he could ask his mother where she was, from out of nowhere, his niece and nephew jumped on his back.

Playfully rolling to the ground with them, Gavin looked up to Emily and laughed. “Well, here are her offspring.”

“Uncle Gaffin! Stop tickling me!” The little girl squealed, her golden locks of blonde hair spilling over her face as she thrashed her head from side to side under his comical assault.

“I help you, Teesa!” The little boy cried out like a certified hero saving a damsel in distress, beginning his own tickling attack on Gavin.

Emily and Lillian laughed and watched the three of them roll around in the grass. Ultimately, the two children won the tickling battle, ganging up on their uncle. Gavin succumbed to the fact that he was outnumbered and pleaded for help as he laughed in hysterics.

Standing up from the ground, Gavin wiped tiny blades of grass from his swimming trunks and looked at Emily. “These two little nuts are my niece and nephew, Theresa and Timothy.” He then quickly dodged at them as though he was going to restart the tickling match.

They both jumped back and laughed.

Gavin hunched over and slung an arm over each of their shoulders. “This is Molly…I mean, Emily.” Emily shook her head and laughed. “You two better be nice to her. I don’t think she feels like getting attacked today from either one of you.”

The little girl looked up to Emily and tugged on her sundress. “I like your dress, Emm-mi-me.”

Emily kneeled down and smiled at the little freckled-faced beauty. “Well, I really like your dress, too, Theresa.”

“Did you haf a dress like dis when you was three?”

“Not as pretty as the one you’re wearing.”

Theresa threw her arms around Emily’s neck, almost knocking her off balance. Emily laughed and hugged the child back.

Like a mini-gentleman, Timothy offered his hand to shake Emily’s. “Are you Uncle Gaffin’s girfend?”

Emily smiled up to Gavin and then looked at the little boy as she shook his hand. “No, but I’m his friend’s girlfriend.”

“We’re twins,” Timothy said with a proud smile on his face.

“I thought you were.” Emily smiled. “Well, you two are the cutest little twins I’ve ever met.”

“Will you come swimmy with us, Emm-mi-me?” Timothy asked, his hazel eyes sparkling as he wiped a sweaty strand of blonde hair away from his forehead.

“Hmm.” The little boy smiled and eagerly awaited her answer. She gave his nose a quick gentle pinch. “I think I will. Just let me go inside to put on my bathing suit, and I’ll be right back.”

Both children jumped up and down, clapping their hands in obvious delight.

Emily made her way through the throng of workers and headed upstairs to slip into her bathing suit. Taking careful measure not to piss off Dillon, she threw on a scarlet-and-gray Ohio State University T-shirt over her bikini. After removing the makeup from her face, she breezed back outside.

The two children—already in the pool with Gavin—gleefully splashed at him as he made a fine attempt at acting like a shark. Submerging himself under the water, he tented his hands over his head as he plunged toward them.

“Emm-mi-me is here!” Theresa hooted out.

Gavin looked to Emily and laughed. “Like my
Jaws
impersonation?”

“It was decent,” she replied as she got into the water. She smiled. “But I’m pretty sure I could do a better one.”

He smirked and cocked an incredulous brow. “Oh, you think so?”

“No,” she smiled. “Just kidding.”

He laughed and reached for a large multicolored beach ball. “Okay, so how’s about a friendly game of pool volleyball?” He flashed a smile. “Girls against boys, of course.”

Emily raised her chin in playful defiance. “Bring it, Blake.”

With both teams positioned on either side of the net, the game began. The kids screeched into a loud burst of laughter when Emily jumped up, spiked the ball onto Gavin’s head, and knocked his sunglasses clear off his face. After Gavin resurfaced from retrieving the sunken shades, his eyes trained on Emily as he smiled with a guaranteed promise of retaliation. She gave a quick high-five to Theresa and shot Gavin a smirk—quite pleased with herself by the point gained for the girls.

Tossing his arm around Timothy’s shoulder, Gavin whispered something into his ear. He chucked his sunglasses onto a beach chair and eyed Emily with a devious smile. She knew he was up to no good. She shook her head and laughed. Before she could warn Theresa of her uncle’s mischievous intentions, a tidal wave of water splashed into her face—courtesy of Gavin.