Page 55 of This Feeling

James and Gavin both ogled the meat selection while Declan ogledme. I tried to give him a casual smile, but he wouldn’t stop staring.

When James spoke, I finally dragged my eyes away from Declan.

“I think I’ll have the brisket. I’ll take potato salad and mac and cheese, as well.”

Aurora walked back over with Brystol, who took one look at Gavin and groaned.

“Don’t act like you don’t love seeing me, Bry.”

“Don’t call me that,” she snapped, snatching up a plate and glaring at Gavin. “What do you want?”

“Geesh, what terrible customer service. If you don’t mind, I’ll wait for Harper or Aurora to serve me.”

Brystol leaned forward. “I’ll serve, and if you don’t tell me what you want right now, I’m going to shove this fork up your tight ass, Gavin.”

Gavin’s brows shot up as James laughed, and Declan cleared his throat in a sad attempt not to laugh.

“Okay, I’d like to know howyouknow Gavin’s ass is tight? I mean, beyond the fact he clearly works out,” Aurora mused, looking between Brystol and Gavin.

“Thank you, Aurora,” Gavin purred. “I always did think you were the nicest of the group.”

I frowned. “Hey!”

Gavin looked at me and winked. “You’re the prettiest, Harp.”

“Oh, shut up, Gavin. For once, can you justnotflirt with a woman?” Brystol criticized.

Looking up briefly, as if he was genuinely giving it some thought, Gavin finally shook his head. “No, I don’t think I can. It’s built into my DNA. Most women like it, just not the uptight, hard-ass types.”

“You know what?” Brystol said, pointing the knife she suddenly held toward Gavin. “I will cut that pretty boy face if you don’t—”

“Okay, I think that’ll be enough of the knife-wielding, if you don’t mind,” Declan said, as he carefully took the knife from Brystol and handed it to Aurora, who was doing everything she could not to crack up.

Brystol cleared her throat and placed a hand over her chest. “I’m sorry. He just brings out the worst in me.”

Gavin winked at Brystol, and I thought for a moment she was going to jump over the booth and strangle him.

“You realize assaulting an officer of the law is a bad thing, right, Bry?” he teased.

Balling her fists, Brystol narrowed her eyes, and I held my breath for what might come next. But before Brystol could say a word, all three officers’ radios went off. Dispatch recited a code, then an address. For a second, it didn’t sink in whose address it was…then Aurora gasped.

“That’s Hope and Liam’s address.”

Brystol frowned. “What was that code?” When none of the men answered, she turned to Gavin and gave him a pleading look. “Gavin?”

He swallowed. “It’s for an ambulance.”

A look of concern crossed everyone’s faces.

“An ambulance for what?” I asked quietly.

“Hey, guys, how’s it going?” Nathan Banks, Aurora’s older brother, offered everyone a smile. When he noticed all the somber faces, he asked, “What’s going on?”

“An ambulance was just called to Hope and Liam’s house,” Aurora said. “Do you know why?”

Nathan blanched—then looked down at the ground.

“Nate? What’s going on?” Aurora asked.

---