Page 67 of Rowdy & Kat

The dog barked when he heard his name but didn’t leave his spot at the bottom of the stairs. Maria walked over to check on the cats. I expected them to run away, but they were locked in a battle of wills with Goblin.

“I’m making lasagna tonight,” Maria announced, sounding invigorated. “How many people am I feeding?”

“Can I help you cook?” Ivy asked, and I instantly hated her guts.

Rowdy snickered nearby, drawing my gaze. He shook his head and adjusted his jeans.

“What?”

“When you narrow your eyes like that, I get a boner.”

“Rowdy,” Bebe admonished and cuddled Colson in her arms. “Text her those kinds of things, so the rest of us aren’t traumatized by the visual.”

Nodding, Rowdy pulled out his phone and texted me, “Ivy grew up isolated from people. She always gets excited over making new friends and learning new things. Please don’t make that tiny woman cry.”

As I felt guilty after reading the message, Maria invited Ivy, Clint, and Farley to dinner. After smiling at my sister, I made eye contact with Ivy to ensure she knew I was also happy about her presence.

Rowdy began texting on his phone. Soon, I read, “You’re coming on too strong. Now, Ivy thinks you want a threesome.”

Laughing, I showed Bebe the message. She rolled her eyes and smiled.

“That was on me,” she told her son. “I should have known not to read your message.”

Despite laughing with his mom, I sensed Rowdy was on edge. He walked to the door where Ivy had left her grocery bag.

“I’m going to bring this to your place.”

Ivy insisted, “Oh, I can do it.”

“No, you should have fun and keep the twins from doing anything inappropriate.”

“The girl twins or the boy twins?” Ivy asked.

Rowdy hesitated, unsure if she was serious or not. He stared at her while she stared back. I nearly laughed at the sight of such a big, intimidating guy staring down at a woman more than a foot shorter.

“Both,” Rowdy finally said, giving up on figuring her out.

He picked up the bag and called for Goblin. His dog barked at him but didn’t leave his spot.

“Ungrateful son of a bitch. Fine, Farley, come along with me since the dog won’t.”

Farley immediately looked at Maria, who frowned as if Rowdy was behaving unreasonably. I smiled at how attached my sister had already gotten to the biker. Seeing a chance to gossip, I stood up and walked to the kitchen.

“Please go with Rowdy,” I told Farley. “His heart is hurting over Goblin’s rejection.”

Farley now wore the same confused expression as Rowdy had worn with Ivy. Unsure if I was serious or not, he finally gave up and followed Rowdy out of the condo. Before the door shut, Vanessa grabbed hold and darted inside.

“I’m here to bond with my nephews,” she announced and walked to the sink to wash her hands. “Do I have any bugs in my hair?”

Maria, Ivy, and I examined her head for possible insect passengers from the ride over. Once Vanessa was cleaned up, she looked at Cavan.

“Can I hold this one?” she asked and glanced at her mom. “Or should I hold the other one?”

“This is Cavan,” I said and handed him to his aunt.

Vanessa looked unsure as she settled him in her arms. “I’m not used to him being so alert. Will he bite me?”

“He has no teeth, baby,” Bebe said, winning a smile from Vanessa.