And of course he was right. Which didn’t mean she wouldn’t ask this new girlfriend of Nathan’s some probing questions. She wouldn’t interfere, of course. It was more like . . . protecting him.
“Oh, you’re here.” Tara greeted them at the front door and led them inside. “The guys are in the game room.”
“Later, gorgeous,” Gavin said, giving her a swift kiss before heading toward the men.
Liz rolled her eyes. “I knew I’d lose him as soon as we walked in the door.”
“I know, right? Mick loves the game room. So do his dad and his uncle. They’re all like kids in there with the TV, pool table and video games and the rest of the stuff.”
Tara led her into the kitchen. “Something to drink? I made this amazing nonalcoholic punch, plus there’s wine, beer, and tea.”
“I’d love some punch.”
Tara poured her a glass. “Everyone else is in the family room.”
“Is Nathan here?”
“I sent him and Sonja on an errand. They should be back soon.”
“Sonja, huh? Nice name.”
Tara smiled. “Nice girl. Wait ’til you meet her. You’re going to fall madly in love with her.”
“Is that right?”
“Yes. She’s sweet. I can’t believe he met someone like her. She’s smart and so athletic. And funny, too.”
Liz was going to reserve judgment about Sonja until she had a chance to grill— uh, talk to her.
She settled into the family room and visited with everyone, including Mick and Tara’s little boy, Sam, who was pulling himself up on the furniture. His hair was dark and curly, and when he giggled, it shot straight to her heart. He had the sweetest smile and charmed everyone in the room as he made his way over to them, laughing every time he fell down.
When Sam came over to her and rested his cheek on her knee, every part of Liz ached. She picked him up and kissed his cheek, but after only a few seconds, he wriggled to get down.
“Okay, mobile man, I know you don’t want to be cuddled right now. Off you go.”
“I told you,” Tara said. “I think my cuddling days are over.”
“You might be surprised how much he still wants to cuddle his Mama,” Gavin’s mom said to Tara. “He might want to be moving around right now, but wait until he falls and cries. Then he’ll want you holding him.”
“You’re right, of course,” Tara said.
After a few minutes, Liz heard the front door open.
“Mom, where do want this stuff?”
“Excuse me,” Tara said. “If I don’t direct Nathan, he’ll end up putting milk in the pantry.”
Liz got up, too. “I’ll help you.”
She followed Tara into the kitchen.
Nathan was in there and she was struck by how much he’d matured in the past few years. He was taller, and had picked up a lot more muscle. He wore his hair shorter now, and it was a darker brown. Though still young, he was no longer a young boy. Now he was a young man.
“Hi, Nathan,” she said.
He smiled at her. “Hey, Liz. How’s it going?”
“It’s going good. On errand duty?”
He grinned. “Always.”
A tall, quite gorgeous young woman carried a bag in. “Where do you want this one, Mrs. Riley?”
“On the counter, Sonja. Thanks.”
The girl had to be nearly five-eleven or maybe even six feet tall. Considering Nathan had shot up his senior year to six-four, he was still taller, but wow. She was beautiful, with café au lait skin, honey colored eyes, and sleek black hair.
Wow.
“Oh, Sonja, this is Nathan’s Aunt Elizabeth, but we all call her Liz.”
Liz stuck out her hand in greeting. “Nice to meet you, Sonja.”
“Same here. And I’m probably never going to remember everyone’s name so I’m going to apologize if I have to ask it again.”
Liz laughed. “That’s okay. Ask away.”
“Hey, I warned you I had a big family,” Nathan said, casting a grin at his girlfriend.
“You did.”
“Where are you from, Sonja?”
“A small town in southwest Texas that no one’s ever heard of. Nathan wanted to drag me here to see more big-city life.”
“Well, St. Louis isn’t exactly a huge city.”
Sonja leaned against the counter. “Bigger than where I grew up, that’s for sure.”
“What’s your major?”
“Marketing with a minor in communications. And I play for the UT basketball team.”
“She’s good at it, too. One hell of a guard,” Nathan said. “You should keep your eye on her, Liz. She might go pro.”
Sonja laughed. “I don’t know about that. I’m just happy to have the scholarship so I can get my education.”
“Yeah, and she’s being modest. She really is good.”
“Then I’ll definitely keep my eye on you.”
“Liz is a sports agent,” Nathan said to Sonja. “She could get you a great deal.”
“Nathan,” Liz warned.
Sonja just looked at her. “I’m not even thinking that far ahead. I just want to get a degree.” She elbowed Nathan. “Quit being so pushy. You’re making your aunt uncomfortable.”
He shoved back into her. “Hey, I believe in you.”
She laughed. “Whatever.”
He put his arm around her. “Come on. Let’s go hang out.”
“Dinner’s in about thirty,” Tara said.