Page 27 of Dangerous Affair

“I’ve given up. What’s the expression? If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.”

I blinked at my very proper grandmother who had always corrected my grammar and detested slang.

“I think she’s warmed up to Mrs. S,” Asher put in.

“I have not,” Gram countered then demanded. “Now give me Maverick.”

I shifted on the couch and carefully set the precious bundle in Gram’s arms.

Jane appeared next to me with a warm smile.

“Would you like another glass of wine?”

I would love the whole damn bottle.

But I was flying first thing in the morning and I’d already had two.

“No, but thank you.”

“You’re doing better than I did,” she muttered.

“I’m sorry?”

“This.” She used her glass to motion around the room. “It can be overwhelming.”

I glanced around the room.

Jack, Sadie, Reese, Letty, River, Brooklyn, and Rhode were sitting at the table. Asher, Davis, and Sloane were standing next to Wilson’s bookcase looking at something on a black lacquered shelf.

Jane was right, it was overwhelming but not in a bad way. All of my grandmother’s friends had welcomed me into the fold. Actually, it was a bit surprising how easily the women had accepted me.

“I work in hospitality; people don’t bother me.”

“Lucky you. When Davis first brought me back, I was scared to death.”

I found that hard to believe. Jane was confident and had an air of ‘I don’t give a fuck’ that totally worked for her.

“Really?”

“Yes, really. But it took me about five minutes to realize this group—”

“This family,” my grandmother nosily corrected.

“This family,” Jane started over. “Takes care of each other.”

I appreciated Jane’s reminder but I already knew that. They’d adopted Gram and took good care of her.

“I gathered that with the way they take care of my gram.”

“That goes for you, too,” Jane insisted. “You’re part of the family.”

Family.

After my mom died the only family I’d ever had was my grandmother and grandfather. I had friends, but not like the friendships that these men and women shared.

And one day my grandmother would be gone and I’d have no one.

A phantom pain hit my chest.

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