Page 66 of Hardy

“Don’t tell anyone.I asked Evafor Lexie’s number, and asked if she could make it tonight.I’veset up the guest rooms in the clubhouse.Butch and Cheryl no longerlive here, and their room is spare.The kids can stay in thechildren’s area.”Angel pressed a hand to her heart.“What ifTiny’s annoyed with me?He’s making friends with Devil, but it’snot the same.I really should have thought about this.”

Taking hold of her hands, Rose forcedAngel to look into her eyes.“You really need to calm down.Nothingbad is going to happen.You’re fine, and everything is going to befine.”

“I don’t know.I didn’ttell Lash, and I thought it would be a nice surprise.”

“Is it only Devil and his familythat is coming?”

“Yes.No one else is comingalong.”

“You’ll be fine.I promise.”Rosegave the panicked woman a smile.“What’s done is done, and you’regoing to be fine.”

Angel nodded.“You’re right.”Shebreathed out a sigh of relief.

Hardy came back first with two plasticcups filled with punch.“Here you go, baby.”

“Thank you.”

“What’s wrong withAngel?”

“I’m sure you’re going to findout soon enough.”She took a drink, and as if Angel had thoughtthem into existence, Devil, Lexie, Simon, and her other childrenentered the clubhouse.The family was greeted by Alex and Sunshine,then Tiny and Eva.

Rose stayed back while Angel went andexplained everything.

“I get why she waspanicking now.”

“I think her heart was inthe right place.”

“I don’t doubt it.Tinydoesn’t look angry about it.”

She watched as Simon walked onto thedance-floor.The little boy had an aura of confidence around him.He was dressed in the most adorable child tuxedo.Miles shook hishand and moved away going toward Rachel.

“Isn’t that so adorable?”Rose asked, watching the young kids.

“It would seem that distance forSimon makes the heart grow fonder.”

“He’s going to be aheartbreaker when he’s older,” Rose said.

“I think Tabitha’s going to bethe same.No man is ever going to try to use her.”

Rose couldn’t argue with him.Hardywrapped his arms around her, pressing his hand to her stomach.“We’re going to have to be worrying about all of that.”

“I know.I can’t wait.Canyou imagine our son panicking about screwing up with agirl?”

“Or our daughter if I get to thedoor before she does?”

“You’ll be an amazingfather.”

“And you’re going to be awonderful mother.The best, really.”

They stood watching the kids on thedance-floor.It really was a cute-fest.Rose wondered what it wasgoing to be like in ten to twelve years when the kids were going totheir own prom.There was no predicting what was about to happen intheir lives.

“What’s the matter?”heasked.

“Nothing.I’m so happy rightnow.”

Resting her head against his shoulder,Rose realized she didn’t want this to end, ever.

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