Page 17 of Devil

“Yeah, it’s the random shit that worries us,” I said as I watched Bailey’s car pull into the open area off to the side that was used for extra parking. “Going to help Bailey,” I added and walked away in her direction.

I had no idea when I was going to explain everything to Bailey, but as I watched her get out of the car, and the thought of leaving in two days came to mind, settled it. I didn’t want to leave things hanging between us until I got back.

Bailey got out of the driver’s side, then opened the back door and bent inside. I admired the way the jeans hugged her ass as I made my way to her. When I reached her, I stepped up behind her and ran both my hands over her ass and squeezed.

“Hey, baby. You need help with anything?” Caught offguard,she raised from the car and bumped her head.

“Dammit, Lance!” she yelled as she spun around to face me. I grabbed her hips to steady her, then bent and kissed the top of her head. I let her go as the passenger side door opened andhermom got out.

“You after my daughter again?”

“Mom!”

“Sure am. Going to catchhertoo. You going to have a problem with that?”

“Oh, my God, Lance!”

“I don’t imagine if I did, it would do any good. Would it? Now bring your handsome self over here and give me hug.”

I chuckled and walked around the car to meet Claire at the back. When I reached her, I wrapped her in my arms and hugged her.

“Don’t hurt her this time.” I’d barely heard the words Claire said because she spoke so low.

“No plans to do that.She’smine,always has been,” I replied as low as Claire had, and before I let her go, I kissed the top of her head like I had done to Bailey.

“If you two are done acting like I’m not standing three feet away, I need help getting this cake out of the backseat.”

“No one has forgotten you’re here. Relax. It’s not every day a woman gets to be held in the arms of such a hot young man.”

“Mom, what has gotten into you?” I chuckled at the women’s banter, and when Bailey cut her eyestowardme, I winked at her.

“Must be the fresh air,” Claire said, and Bailey shook her head and rolled her eyes.

“Then try not to breathe too deep,” Baileyreplied,and I couldn’t hold in the laughter.Evidently,the women couldn’t either as they both joined in.

“Claire? Glad to see you out.” Bailey grinned at her mom when Romeo, Flirt’s dad, walked up and spoke.

“Michael, it’s good to be out. How have you been?” Romeo nodded at me, told Bailey hi, and then put his armaroundClaire’s shoulders.

“I could ask you the same thing, but you seem to be doing really well. I’m glad, was worried about you for a bit. Come on, let’s get you a drink and some food. You can sit with me and theothers,and we will catch up.” Before Bailey and I could say anything, Romeo whisked Claire off toward where the other dads sat.

“Well, well,” Baileysaid,and I looked at her.

“Why are you grinning?”

“Did you know that those two dated before my mom met my dad?”

“No shit?” I looked atBailey,and she chuckled.

“Yeah, that was pretty much my first response.” Bailey grabbed a bag out of the floorboard in the back, then moved out of the way so I could reach the cake.

“Damn, that is a big ass cake.” I bent and slid the box to the edge so I could get a good grip on it.

“Well, I wanted there to be enough.”

“No worries there, Bay. How did you get this to your car? Thing probably weighs thirty pounds.”

“Stop whining, it doesn’t weigh that much. Now be careful. I got it in the car and here without damaging it. You only have to get it to a picnic table.” Bailey shut the doors after I had the cake held in my arms. When we reached the picnic table decorated for Ally’s party, I sat the box down in the middle.

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