He’s a shorter man, but solid muscle like his sons, balding on top, but he used to be blonde like his daughter. He’s one of the kindest men I’ve ever known. “I can’t wait. I’m hungry.”

“Good. Is this your man?” He turns to Luke and holds out a hand.

“Yes, this is Luke.”

“Some kind of fancy movie star, aren’t yo u? ” Oh, God. He’s going to give Luke a hard time. A hush falls over the patio as everyone stops talking to listen to the exchange.

I blush scarlet and start to interrupt, but Luke puts his hand on my elbow and smiles down at me before shaking Stevens hand firmly.

“No sir, I’m not fancy or a star.

Thank you for including me and my family here today.”

“Am I going to have to kill you for hurting her?” Steven keeps Luke’s hand in his own, narrowing his eyes at him, and I just want to die. Now.

Holy fucking shit.

Luke laughs. “No sir. Can I help you at the grill?”

“You know your way around a grill?”

Steven smiles and I exhale deeply.

“I do.”

“Well why didn’t you say? We’re cooking ribs and chicken.” And just like that Steven slaps Luke on the back and leads him over to the grill.

Jules’ brothers wander over to introduce themselves to Luke and offer him a beer, and the chatter resumes.

Isaac’s wife, Stacy, hugs me tight.

“Happy birthday.” She’s a petite woman with red hair and laughing blue eyes.

“Thank you. You look fantastic!

Where’s the baby.” My eyes scan the patio until I find Sophie cradled in Jules’ arms on one of the rocking love seats.

Stacy and I join her and I hold my hands out. “Baby. Mine.”

Jules laughs. “I just got her.”

“I don’t care. I’ve never held her.

Hand her over, Montgomery.”

Jules passes me little Sophie and I just melt. She is tiny, less than two weeks old. Her dark hair is long and soft and a little wild in the way baby hair is, and Stacy has put a pretty pink headband on her. She’s in a beautiful pink little dress with pink bloomers and she’s barefoot.

I run my hand down her cheek and press my lips to her forehead. She’s sleeping, oblivious to the party going on around her.

“Oh, Stacy, I’m in love with her.” I smile up at the new mother and she preens.

“She’s such a good baby.”

“She’s precious.” I look down at her again and move her so she’s resting on my chest, curled up under my chin. I rub her back and begin to rock and hum.

There is just nothing like having a newborn on you.

“You’re so sweet,” I murmur down to her.

I look up to meet Luke’s intense gaze.

He’s watching me, his look unreadable.

What’s he thinking?

I smile at him and one corner of his mouth curls up and his eyes soften.

I glance to my left and find Luke’s mom, Lucy’s gaze also trained on me thoughtfully. A slow smile spreads across her face and she winks at me.

Sophie makes a mewling sound and I look down at her. I grab her pacifier and plug it into her mouth and she sucks greedily as I run my fingertips down her soft hair.

“Natalie!”

“Huh?”

Jules is laughing. “I asked you if you brought your camera.”

“Of course. I’m holding my newest model now. Maybe we can get some family shots after dinner?”

“Absolutely. Now give me back the baby.”

“No.”

“You’re so selfish.” Jules scowls at me and Stacy laughs.

“Yes. Sophie and I are going for a walk.” I stand with her and wander down one of the paths to a shady garden.

“Aren’t the flowers pretty, Sophie?” I croon to the sleepy baby and rock her back and forth.

“You’re good with her.” Luke has joined us and I smile lazily at him.

“I love babies. I never had siblings, so I’m living vicariously through Jules.”

I shrug and kiss Sophie’s head.

He reaches out and runs the back of his finger down Sophie’s cheek and I feel my heart flip. His finger looks so big on her tiny little cheek.

“She’s sweet,” I murmur.

“You’re sweet.” He tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear and runs his thumb down my jaw before slipping his hand back in his pocket.

I gaze down at the sleeping baby and for the first time in my life I imagine that I might have this one day. A husband and a baby and when I picture it in my head, it’s this man before me by my side.

I’ve got it bad. Stop this. Get rid of the baby.

“Hey! Dinner’s ready and I want that baby back!” Jules is standing at the edge of the patio yelling toward us, and I smile at Luke.

“I’m gonna have to arm wrestle her later to get this baby back.”

Luke laughs and escorts us to the patio for dinner.

***

This has been the best birthday dinner of my life. The Montgomery’s have folded Luke’s family into their own seamlessly, engaging them in lively conversation

and

enjoying

their

company. Neil and Lucy seem relaxed and happy, laughing with Steven and Gail, sharing stories about when their children were young.

All of the brothers; Isaac, Will, Caleb and Matt have teased Luke mercilessly about being a famous actor, asked questions about pretty actresses, and done a lot of talking about football since Will is currently playing with the Seahawks, and they’re men.