Page 58 of Her Captivated Hero

11

“Hey,the rubber band car just pulled up,” Wyatt yelled out across Aiden and Evie O’Malley’s backyard. He was in a position to see their driveway from the corner where he was sitting to rest his leg.

Dammit, Gray had known the guys were going to give her shit for her car.

Miranda Porter stalked over to Wyatt from where she had been standing on the patio with the other women. She glowered down at the sandy haired SEAL who put his arms up over his head in mock defense.

“Leeds, if you do anything to make my friend feel bad, I will pluck out your nipple hairs. You get me?” Miranda’s steely words could be heard across the lawn.

All talking stopped as a collective wince went through the crowd. Gray chuckled when he saw two of his teammates cross their arms over their chests.

Griff sauntered over from the grill, with his daughter on his hip. “Honey, Wyatt didn’t mean anything by it. He’s just teasing about Riya’s Prius,” Griff tried to soothe his wife.

“Well, he better cool it.” She plucked little Livvie out of her husband’s arms and went back to join the women.

Evie O’Malley came up next to Gray. “Are you going to introduce me to your Riya? I’ve been dying to meet her.” The petite brunette locked her arm through his and led him through the screen door to the front of the house.

The doorbell rang just as they reached it. Evie opened it and grinned.

“Hello,” she greeted Riya.

Gray saw Riya’s tentative smile. Then she pushed out a huge store-bought tray of brownies.

“I’m in love with you,” Evie clapped her hands. “You brought my kryptonite.”

“You like chocolate, too?” Riya asked hopefully.

“I love chocolate, especially brownies. Did Miranda tell you?” Evie took the tray. “Come in.”

Gray was about to introduce them, but Evie, in her typical style, started talking.

“Oh fuck, I’m Evie. I know you’re Riya. Miranda told me how beautiful you are. I couldn’t miss the long black hair. I always wanted straight hair instead of curls. Come into the kitchen. I’m going to break into these babies right now with a big ole glass of milk. Want me to set you up with the same?”

Riya looked up at him with a look of almost panic as Evie sped ahead.

“It’s okay, she’s always like this with everyone.”

“Really?”

“Really.” He looked her up and down. “You look gorgeous.”

Riya’s panicked look turned into a frown. “I’m wearing a university sweatshirt. Are you going to say I look gorgeous no matter what I wear?”

“More than likely, because you’re a beautiful woman. Piper is going to UCSD so you’re going to have a sure-fire friend.”

“How many people are here? I thought you said it was a small barbeque.”

“Probably thirty people.” He saw her take a deep breath. He slid his hand under her hair and started to knead the tight tendons in her neck. “It’s going to be fine. Just pretend they’re the Pentagon types, you deal with them all the time.”

“Yeah, but that’s when it’s in my field of expertise. These are your friends.”

“You’ll do great. Miranda and I have been bragging about you, so you’re golden.”

“Great,” she muttered.

Gray laughed. He wrapped his arm around her and guided her to the kitchen. He wasn’t surprised to see that Evie had two plates with brownies on them along with two glasses of milk at the kitchen table.

“This looks wonderful,” Riya said with a genuine smile. “I’ve been at the lab since five this morning. I was hoping to have one of these to make up for my lack of breakfast and lunch.”