“I’ll have you know I have my eye out for a good man for you. I heard about that punk Brody Willitson from my Marc earlier today. Never liked him and he wasn’t good enough for a girl like you, honey. Don’t you worry though, I’ve got my ear to the ground.” Polly winked. “Now get yourself a plate and have a drink, the night is young.”

Liv watched, amused, as Polly ambled off to greet the next person who’d arrived when she saw Maggie with Marc.

“Hey, you two.” Liv picked up a plate and began to fill it.

“Hey, Liv. I keep meaning to compliment you on that dress. Is that the one you bought online? That dark purple color is gorgeous on you.” Maggie touched her arm.

“I have to agree with Maggie on that one, Liv. Now, as much as I like you in short skirts, this one is very nice. The appeal of a curve hugging sweater that’s a dress is not lost on me at all. The boots are sexy too. A little bit dominatrix. You got any secrets to share, Livvy?”

Liv laughed to cover the warm surge in her belly that always came when Marc flirted. She knew he was full of it and flirted with every woman he met, but still, it made her feel tingly all over.

“Have you seen the bench we got them?” Marc held his arm out and Liv took it, letting him lead her out of the room, through the kitchen and out into the large backyard.

“Kyle landscaped this little alcove for it. He says the roses will bloom over the arbor in the summer and night blooming jasmine is planted on both sides.”

The bench sat in an isolated corner of the yard with a pretty white arbor over it and a fountain nearby.

“Momma saw the bench last year during the insanity after Christmas when they were planning the wedding and Cassie told Shane and it went from there. You see the plaque?”

On the back of the bench, an inscribed plaque with Polly and Edward’s name and anniversary date.

“It’s impossible to shop for them but this and the album of all the pictures we had made from the slides my daddy had have been the biggest hit yet.” Marc sat down and Liv joined him.

Liv warmed at the affection in his voice. “It’s really beautiful out here. Kyle did a great job at making this little place. Like an oasis for the two of them to come and sit together.”

“He’ll read and pretend to listen to her and she’ll talk and cross-stitch and pretend he’s listening when she’s really just planning on getting me and Matt married off.”

Liv laughed out loud at the truth of that statement. “They work.”

“They do. One day, if I can have what they do, even a shadow of what they have, I’ll be lucky.”

Liv nodded as she picked at the food on her plate and Marc helped himself to it as well. The noise from the party wafted out on the air but their corner of the yard was an isolated haven. They didn’t talk, instead just looked at the stars and picked at Liv’s food.

“We should probably go back inside,” Liv said, standing. She needed to get back inside before she gave in and leaned her head on his shoulder.

“Yeah, it’ll be cake time soon. I love cake.” He pressed a quick kiss to her cheek.

“Don’t forget that you owe me a dance later.”

“We’ll see.”

“No seeing about it, Olivia Davis. You owe me a dance and I mean to collect.”

Popping a stolen olive into his mouth, he drew her back into the house, letting her go ahead once they reached the porch.

Man-oh-man did he love to look at her. Tall, long legs, big brown eyes that always looked like she had a very naughty secret and hair as black as a raven’s wing. Straight and glossy and usually in some short, stylish ‘do. Her clothes, just shy of outright sexy but it was clear she was a woman who knew what looked good on her body and she dressed accordingly. Not too tight but certainly clingy enough to highlight the high, round ass and the legs. She wore heels high enough to show off hard calves and tilted her ass and br**sts out just right. The blouses and sweaters lovingly showcased her perky B cups. He adored her smile. One of those smiles women had when they knew something delicious. Her accent was nice and thick—sexy, soft southern sin—

and she always sounded on the verge of laughing.

Liv Davis was just an all around package. Funny, intelligent, independent, very feminine but capable too. She never ceased to make him smile when he thought about her. And she was the only woman he knew who flirted as well as he did. He had to admire that.

Once they got back inside, Liv got pulled into a cutthroat game of canasta with Marc, Cassie and Shane.

“Sheesh, I was hoping your mind would still be addled with all that honeymoon nookie but you’re a shark with the cards,” Liv joked with Cassie.

“I don’t play to lose, Liv.” Cassie sniffed and tossed down some cards, reaching to draw more.

“I love it when you’re vicious, beautiful,” Shane said and Marc rolled his eyes.

“Stop before it starts. No cow eyes over the cards. Chase family rule.”

Liv laughed. “I like that rule.”

“I hear the music starting up in the other room, Olivia. You promised me a dance don’t you forget.” Marc winked.

“Let me just do this.” Liv tossed down her last suit and stood with a smile. “I don’t play to lose either.”

Cassie laughed and Marc stood. “Okay then, darlin’, let’s dance.”

Liv took his hand and let him lead her through the house to the formal living room where the music was playing.