“I felt that way in my last trimester with Joselyn. I was too tired to do anything, so I didn’t. Just enjoy being pregnant, make Cane take out the trash and run the vacuum.”
Jada laughed. “You think he lets me do anything? I’m surprised he hasn’t found someone to brush my teeth for me.”
We erupted in laughter and my gaze met my brother-in-law’s. He winked. “I’ve been looking for someone to do that. You busy next week, Kari?”
“Stop it, Cane,” Jada said, shaking her head. “It felt good to actually get out of yoga pants this evening. But now that I’ve experienced it, I’m ready to put them back on.”
“You look so pretty,” I smiled reassuringly.
“I look like a whale.”
“I don’t want to hear you say that. You’re beautiful,” Cane whispered to her, but loud enough for us all to hear.
Isa smacked her lips together. “So sweet! Why don’t you say sweet things like that to me,” she said, turning to Pierce. He was waving his hands over his head.
“Hey! There’s Brielle,” he said.
“Brielle?” Max asked, his eyes following Pierce’s. “Why is she here?”
“I invited her. I thought it would be fun,” Isa said. She watched Max’s face and twisted her lips. “She’s old enough to be here, Max. Relax.”
Max shifted in his seat, clearly uncomfortable. He glanced at Cane and a look passed between them, making me uncomfortable. I wasn’t sure what was going on, but something was up.
“Hey!” Brielle squealed, making a beeline for Isa. “How are you? Oh my God! Look at you! I love that dress!” She wrapped her arms around Isa’s neck and hugged her tight. Pulling back, she kissed Pierce on the cheek. “How are you, Trouble?”
“You’re calling me ‘Trouble’? Ah, the irony.”
“Hey, Max,” Brielle said, her eyes softening as she looked at her brother. She bit the inside of her cheek. “How are ya?”
Brielle was younger than Max by a few years. She had the same sort of exotic look going on that Max had—dark hair, amazing green eyes, and gorgeous skin. Where he was sharp and defined, she was rounder, curvier with a body any girl would kill for.
“Not expecting to see you here,” Max said, his eyebrows raising.
“Why not? It’s a reunion in here tonight!” She glanced at me and plastered on a fake smile. “Hi, Kari.”
From anyone watching the interaction, it would seem like she was just another sweet girl saying hello to her brother’s friend. But the air between us, the feelings she sent without words, was anything but polite. It was always like that with her.
“Hey, everyone,” Brielle said, turning to Cane and Jada.
“How are you, Bri?” Cane asked, watching her curiously.
“Good! How are you? And how is the baby, Jada? I can’t wait to see it!” She smiled genuinely at my sister, making me more confused.
Jada put her hand on her belly. “The baby is good.”
“Heyyy!”
Our eyes all shot behind Pierce at the sound of a woman’s voice. She was average height, a tan face and had on large, silver hoop earrings. A white lace dress hung fashionably off of her thin frame and brown cowboy boots were on her feet.
Samantha always looked pretty.
I sat up in my chair, following Sam’s gaze . . . to Max. He was looking at her, a smile making the dimple in his cheek sink in. My cheeks heated immediately as I watched their exchange.
“How are ya, Sam?” Max asked.
“I’m good,” she said brightly, her eyes never leaving him. “How about you?”
“I’m good.” He cleared his throat.
Screw her and her red lips.
Pierce stood up and grabbed a couple of chairs from a nearby table as a group of guys finished at the mic. The only open spot at the table was between Max and Cane.
“Why don’t you ladies grab a seat? I’m going to get us some drinks. What can I get you?” Cane asked, standing up.
“Ah, thanks, Cane! I’ll have a Stella,” Brielle said.
“Um,” Sam said, smacking her lips together as she looked at Max’s drink. “I’ll have a Corona, please.”
“Want me to go with you?” Jada asked her husband.
He gave her a look like she was out of her mind. “No and I’ll get you another water.” He turned to me. “Hey, Kari. Why don’t you come with me?”
I looked quizzically at him and the look on his face told me to just go with it. I pushed back from the table. “Be right back.”
I followed Cane to the front of the building as a girl with no musical ability what-so-ever belted out Genie In A Bottle by Christina Aguilera. The place wasn’t too busy but had enough patrons to be entertaining.
Cane rested against the bar while we waited on the bartender. He looked at me like he was waiting on me to speak.
I took the bait. “Not that I don’t love hanging out with you, but wanna explain?”
“Maybe I just wanted to spend some time with my beautiful sister-in-law?”
I rolled my eyes. “Not your style, Alexander. So spill it.”
“Alright,” he said, standing up to face me square on. “How well do you know Sam?”
“I’ve seen her a few times.”
Cane snorted. “Keep it that way.”