Page 116 of All I Need

“Hazel, do you remember Grayson?”

Her eyes go all dreamy, “Oh yes. He’s Harper’s guy.”

“Right,” Andy grunts, not seeming to be happy about that but not in a way that he doesn’t like Grayson, but that maybe he doesn’t like seeing his young girl going all dreamy-eyed over a teenager. “Ellie’s Grayson’s uncle’s girl.”

“Mr. Walker?” she asks, hazel eyes that match her name sparkle.

“Yup,” I smile. Feeling relaxed for the first time in almost a week.

“Wow. He’s super cute, too.”

“Oh boy,” Christine mutters.

“God help me,” Andy says, face tipped to the ceiling.

“What can I get ya?” Christine asks.

“Straight up coffee and… holy crap. Do you make these?” I ask, pointing to the display case full of pastries.

“She does. She sells her desserts at Balance, too. Uncle James makes the food and Mommy makes the dessert.”

“Sounds like I’ll have to go eat there soon,” I tell Hazel.

“Mm hmm. You really should. Tell them Hazel sent you and maybe you’ll get a free dessert.”

“I love free dessert!”

“Me too! I think we’ll be good friends,” she tells me and warmth fills my stomach.

“I’ll bring something over with your coffee. First trip here is my treat. Besides, you deserve it after snagging that hot veterinarian off the market.”

“Hey!”

“Calm down. You know I think you’re hot.”

“Damn right,” Andy says, leaning over to kiss his wife, smashing Hazel between them in the process.

“Gross! You guys, I’m right here,” Hazel says scrunching up her nose in disgust.

I smile at the adorable family and thank her for her kind welcome then slide into the booth across from Willow.

“I see you met Andy.”

“Holy crap, Willow. You should have warned me.”

“Just wait until you see James. The one who owns Balance. His wife called him Captain America the first time she saw him with good reason.”

“Where’s this town been all my life?” I joke.

“Right? It’s like hot guy haven. But they’re all ridiculously taken. They dote on their wives to the point where you just wanna swoon or cry.”

Christine comes over, places a plate with a slice of cheesecake in front of me along with a cup of coffee.

“Thank you,” I tell her and she smiles her welcome.

“I’m so sorry,” Willow blurts out.

“For what?” I ask, barely listening to her as I moan through my first bite of creamy cheesecake. She giggles at my response.

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