Page 53 of Nothing to Fear

“It’s a hobby. Whenever there’s a chance to sign up for something, I do it. Why not? Isn’t it better to use our time for good than sit around and do nothing?”

“Darling, you are not to introduce her to Lesley or Ernie.”

Alice laughed, then clued her in. “Our friends at the adoption agency.”

“One dinner with them and you’ll be signed up for three by dessert.”

“Ben,” Alice chastised, nudging her husband. “You’ll scare the girl.”

The couple sat by each other, against each other really, Alice’s hand and forearm lay twined with her husband’s on the table. Yeah, she was kind of the third wheel, but they were the epitome of relationship goals. She couldn’t tear her eyes away.

“Are you planning to adopt more? I have to say, Buoy is just adorable.”

“Unfortunately, my wife is attached to him, so he’s off the market,” Benedict said, flashing a smile at Alice. “Our boys mean more to her than anything.”

“They return her affection, I’m sure.”

“They do. Vehemently.”

“You wouldn’t have it any other way,” she said, spouting Darroch’s words. “Although you’re her greatest defender.”

“Am I?”

“I like that.” Her smile bloomed. “Chivalry is rare, it’s nice to discover it still exists somewhere in the world.”

“Savanna hasn’t had the best experience with men,” Alice explained. “I’ve told her our boys will treat her right.”

“Ah, that’s what this is,” Benedict said and kissed his wife’s hair, resting his lips there. “We’re interviewing her for a daughter-in-law position? We do have vacancies in that department. Many vacancies.”

Terror was cold. “Oh, God.”

“You’re scaring her again, Ben. We’re here because I think she’s perfect for our partnership with Huddle and Roxie.”

“Roxanna’s putting together quite the team.”

“We’re investing in a solid future,” Alice said more to her than her husband. “Something we can be proud of and pass along to our children.”

“Which Alice is passionate about.”

“Roxanna’s friend, Roux, is Head of Huddle Hope Operations in California, the original idea was hers. My best friend, Carolyn Hunt, is taking the lead for Lighting Darkness over there.”

“Alice and Carolyn have known each other since they were children,” Benedict added. “We trust Carolyn completely.”

“Unfortunately, Savanna didn’t get the chance to meet Freya last night.”

Benedict seemed impressed. “She’s an incredible role model.”

“Yes, she is,” Alice said.

“Another woman my wife would love to have as a daughter-in-law.”

“I would never raffle my children off to my friends.”

“Not for anything other than charity,” Benedict said, smirking.

“I’m happy so long as they are happy.”

“Men tend to take longer to settle down,” she said. Like how the hell would she know? “They have all the time in the world.”

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