“Wow! I sure hope there isn’t a quiz after this,” Jase said with a chuckle.
Luke slapped him on the back and said, “If you remember half this shit and you decide to stay with Taylor after today, I’ll be very impressed.”
“Stop that!” Libby said as she playfully hit Luke. “Welcome to the family, Jase. It makes me so happy to see Taylor in love.”
I felt my face heat up as I guided Jase on to the next group. “This is Alex and Will.”
Jase pointed to Will. “Libby’s brother. Parents are Josh and Heather.”
Will raised his eyebrows. “Impressive.”
Alex reached her hand out for Jase’s. “It’s so nice to finally formally meet you, Jase. I’ve heard so much about you. Oh . . . I belong to Gunner and Ellie.”
Jase tilted his head. “You have a daughter if I remember right from Taylor. Bayli?”
All three of us turned to look at Jase while Will replied, “Dude, you’ve impressed me. I sure as hell hope you like football and beer.”
“Very much so,” Jase answered.
Turning to me, Will kissed me on the cheek. “I like him.”
With a chortle, I pushed Will away. “One more and you’ve met them all.”
Jase wiped his forehead. “This is Grace and Noah.”
Noah and Jase shook hands as Jase smiled and said hello to Hope. “And who is this beautiful princess?”
“Oh, yes. I do indeed like you. Good looking, goes right for the kid and starts giving her attention.” Grace turned to me. “I hope he’s good in bed because this one is a keeper.”
“Grace!” I gasped.
Noah laughed and slapped Jase on the back. “So, do you like football?”
They walked off toward the kitchen as Grace pushed me with her shoulder. “Damn that boy is good looking, Taylor. And the whole cowboy hat thing. Meow.”
Pressing my lips together to contain my smile, I nodded and said, “I know.”
“Those blue eyes. Dreamy.”
Glancing over to her, I scowled. “I can’t believe you said that!”
Grace smiled and winked. “Yes you can.”
Rolling my eyes, I let out a quick chuckle. “You’re right. I can believe it. Don’t scare him off, Grace.”
Her mouth fell open. “Like I could scare that boy off? If meeting all of us and spending the day with this crazy-ass family isn’t enough to scare him off, I seriously doubt anything I say would.”
I stared at her in disbelief. “Don’t underestimate your power with words, Grace. You have a gift.”
With an evil laugh, she handed me Hope. “Go see your Aunt Taylor and slobber all over her.”
Hope smiled as I took her in my arms. “She’s getting so big.”
With an adoring smile, Grace traced her fingertip along Hope’s jaw. “I know. I can’t wait for another one.”
My head snapped up to meet her eyes. “What? Are y’all trying?”
Grace never blushed, but when her cheeks turned red I couldn’t help but feel such excitement for her. “I know it’s soon, but we decided one more and we wanted them to be close together. We haven’t told anyone yet I’m pregnant.”
“Oh Grace, I’m so happy for you both.”
Her eyes danced with happiness as she gazed back down at Hope. “Thanks. So things will be crazy at the shop with both me and Alex pregnant.”
Sucking in a breath, I whispered, “Alex is pregnant too?”
Graze froze. “Oh shit.”
My eyes quickly dashed around until I found Alex. How did I not notice? Look at her face glowing. “Holy crap. You, Alex, and La . . . um . . . you and Alex! Wow!”
“Oh no. No way, Taylor Atwood. You were about to say . . .” Grace did a once over and turned back to me. “Lauren. You were about to say Lauren!” She started jumping up and down as she covered her mouth.
“Don’t you dare say a word, Grace. They don’t want to tell anyone yet. They were going to tell everyone today I think.”
“Our little Lauren is pregnant!”
With a giant grin, I nodded. “Yep.”
“Now we just need you to pop one out and we’ll all have kids.”
My smile quickly faded as I looked back at Hope.
“Oh hell. Taylor please tell me you’re not.”
Swallowing hard, I looked at Grace as tears filled my eyes. “I really hope not. I’m not ready.”
“Oh, sweets.” Pulling me into her arms, Grace held me while I held onto her daughter and fought to keep my tears in.
Jase
The rest of the afternoon was filled with meeting more family. I was positive I’d be quizzed after this. There was Jack, Gunner’s father. I’d already met his mother Grace. Ellie’s mother and stepfather were there, Sharon and Philip.
My eyes scanned everyone as I saw Greg and Elizabeth. Shit. Whose parents are they again? When I saw Bayli running into Greg’s arms it hit me. Josh’s parents!
And to think there are even more I haven’t met yet. I’m going to have to ask Taylor for a family tree.