Page 96 of Between Regrets and Promises

I roll my eyes and jab my elbow into his ribs. “Funny.”

Sophie tells us to come sit at the table because she has appetizers and the main course will be ready in ten minutes. Following them, I wait until we’re all in the dining room before I plan to offer to help her bring stuff in. Before I can say anything, Caleb is at Sophie’s side, telling her he’ll assist her.

I sit across from Lennon, who pierces me with her hard gaze. Apparently, I’m more transparent than I thought I was. Sophie’s laughter from the kitchen echoes, and Caleb’s follows, driving the knife in my gut deeper.

Less than fifteen minutes later, we’re all sitting and eating Sophie’s delicious meal. I relax slightly when she takes the seat next to me, but Caleb is on her other side, and I have to lean forward to keep my eye on him.

Between Lennon and Maddie, the conversation flows. Caleb opens up about his late wife, and when Liam glares at me, I know he thinks I’m overreacting. But after the shit that went down with Weston, I’m always on high alert when it comes to Sophie and her safety. Hell, if Liam wasn’t a longtime friend, I wouldn’t trust him around her either.

“Babe, I forgot the diaper bag in the truck,” Lennon tells Hunter.

“Gimme the keys and I’ll go grab it.” I stand before either of them can protest.

“Sure. Thanks,” Hunter says, reaching into his pocket and handing them over. “It’s in the back seat.”

I head outside without suspicion and can look at this guy’s car for any clues whether he’s an actual decent guy. Once I grabthe bag from their truck, I walk to the street where he parked and laugh when I find a Ford Taurus. An old ass one too.

Grabbing my phone from my pocket, I quickly snap a pic of his license plates, then I peek into his windows. There are a couple of duffle bags in the back, a pair of shoes on the floor, and some empty takeout containers.

Is this guy living in his car?

Shaking my head, I head back inside and deliver Allie’s bag. After we’re finished eating and the table is cleared, Lennon excuses herself and asks Sophie if she can use her bedroom. All the girls follow. Apparently, it takes three of them to change a diaper, which leaves the guys together in the living room.

“Sorry to hear about your wife,” Hunter offers. “I lost my best friend last year. I know it’s not the same, but?—”

“Yeah, thanks.” Caleb scrubs his hands over his jeans and nods. “It was quite sudden.”

“Can I ask how?” Hunter says.

“Car accident. She was on her way to work in the morning, and I was already at my job. I didn’t find out until five hours later when they tracked me down.”

“Man, I’m sorry to hear that.”

“How about your friend?” Caleb asks.

“Motorcycle accident.”

The room goes silent.

Brandon dying changed everything.

“Okay, all clean…” Lennon returns.

“How far along are you?” Caleb asks Lennon when she takes a seat on the couch next to Hunter. “Sophie told me you’re expecting again.”

“I am!” she beams. “Only two months. We were shocked it happened so fast after Allie,” she admits. “But we couldn’t be happier.” She smiles up at Hunter who cups her face and presses his lips to hers.

“And now you know how she got pregnant so soon,” Maddie cracks. “They never have their hands off each other.”

“I think it’s sweet,” Sophie chimes in. “At least one of you men knows how to handle a Corrigan woman.” She smirks at Liam who, in return, rolls his eyes.

“Sorry, Soph. You’re not my type,” he retorts, making all of us laugh, considering we know who she’s really talking about. But hell, if that confirmation doesn’t send relief through me.

“Why’s that funny?” Caleb asks.

“Long story,” Hunter says. “That’s a story for over a round of beers.”

My whole body tenses. I hate that Hunter is being so nice to this asshole.

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