Page 24 of Back to You

Mrs. Ross looked up at her and smiled. "Don't worry. We'll have a great time."

Before she knew what was happening, Tyler was bee boppin' his way down the aisle with a last look back when he reached the end and shouted, "Bye, Mom!"

Cam wrapped an arm around her shoulder and leaned in. "My mother is going to be in heaven. She misses having younger kids around even if she loves teaching high school."

"Do they do the grandkids-pressure thing?”

Cam shrugged. "Not really. But I think it’s because they get the whole finding-the-right-person thing.” He looked down and smiled at her like he was biting his tongue.

As soon as she saw that look, she realized he was starting to make some moves and eased out from under his arm.

“Cam—”

“Hey, none of that. We’ve got to get over to Noah’s.”

With that, he turned and followed Tyler down their aisle.

She grabbed all their stuff since neither of them thought of picking up their trash and glanced around the room.

On the far side, Noah still stood in front of the lairds, shaking his head like he was ready to escape the madness.

When one of them put both hands on his turned-oak cane she’d place darn good money Cam had made for him and moved to rise, Noah stepped forward. Even obviously frustrated, he was going to be polite and show respect to his elders.

Of course, Vivian couldn't hold back the snort she let loose when the man took a swipe at Noah’s hand and swatted it away.

Noah gave one last shake of his head and stalked off.

Well, this should be interesting.

She spotted Skye at the front of the room, braced at the foot of the stairs that led to the stage. She was taking no prisoners and seemed ready for anything—so, basically on-brand Skye.

Below her station, Lyra spoke with a woman who seemed bent on sharing her opinion of the evening with someone. As always, Lyra was the safe space people needed. But as they’d found out just this past month, she had more of a steel spine than any of them had suspected.

Especially when it came to Starlight Harbor.

And, unfortunately, everything tonight had to do with it, so Lyra was probably ready to rumble.

Oh, no!

Vivian stutter-stepped to a stop. Did that mean… wasshethe one left to be the voice of reason tonight?

“Hey.” Jamie stepped up next to her, watching Lyra and Skye subtly maneuver the woman back toward the crowd and for a moment Vivian thought,Jamie!with relief.

But then, of course, she thought,Oh. Jamie. No.

“We’re heading over to Noah’s to see what all the proclamations going down with the lairds were.”

“Saw that,” Jamie answered, still scanning the room. “Even as I was watching to make sure I didn’t have to break up a fight.”

“Please, break up?”

“It would give me an excuse to get a swing in.” Jamie grinned, completely unrepentant. “That guy has been harassing Cam for as long as I can remember. No idea why.”

He paused in a way that said what everyone thought: Maybe because of her.

But it had started way before she was out of pigtails. Not that she and Cam hadn’t been throwing each other glances on the playground too.

“Is it because he’s more talented, a better athlete, smarter, better-looking, and basically the town sweetheart?”

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