Sam put her water down with a little extra force, like it slipped and she caught it in time. “Do you have to call him that too?”
“What’s his name?”
“Garrett. Call him Garrett.”
Matteo thought about it, then shrugged. “Bio Dad seems more appropriate, but okay.” He turned back to me. “So? You and—” He glanced at Sam. “—Garrett. What’s up with that?”
“Nothing. Just small talk.”
Matteo snorted. “Right, because that’s what you Kades are known for. Small talk.”
Nate leaned over the table and asked in a mock whisper, “What’s going on?”
My eyes met Sam’s. I knew we were thinking the same thing. Then I looked at Logan and saw the suspicion there. He knew something was going on too, so I shrugged.
“We ran into a friend of yours out there,” I told Nate.
He had been reaching for a roll, but he dropped it. “What?” He cursed under his breath, grabbing the roll before it hit his water.
“Someone recent. Like, last night and this morning recent.”
Logan started laughing. He was keeping it quiet, but he was still laughing. “Is he talking about a chick or a dude? If it’s a dude, I’m all for that, but give me a heads-up. I am your husband, remember?” He winked at Nate.
Nate scowled. “Shut it.” He cursed again under his breath. “You ran into her?” He shot Sam a look. “And thanks for telling.”
She shrugged. “Sorry.” She didn’t sound it.
I hid a grin, rubbing a hand over her back. “Back off her. I would’ve figured it out anyway. The girl wasn’t real smooth.”
“I liked her.”
Logan frowned at Sam, then me. “Who is she? I want to meet her now.”
A third curse from Nate. “This isn’t funny, you guys. We’re at a family meal. It’s not the place to talk about my sexual escapades.”
“Mmmm?” That perked Malinda’s ears. She straightened in her chair. “What’s going on? Nate has sexual escapades?”
Logan smothered more laughter.
I started to open my mouth, but Nate shot me a dark look. “Mason.”
I heard the warning and held a hand up. “We’re just joking. We didn’t even talk to her. Sam just said you knew her, that’s all.” I pointed to Logan. “He told me about the one-nighter.”
Nate stiffened, turning to Logan. “Are you kidding? That happened just last night.”
Logan frowned. “Why are you getting all uppity about some chick? Unless—”
Nate’s eyes flashed.
Logan dipped his head in a small nod and cleared his throat. He looked my way. “So, Matteo.”
“Oh no.” Matteo stopped eating a fancy-looking pizza roll. “Don’t start, you guys. Please.” He gestured to his plate full of appetizers. “I just want to eat. That’s all.”
Logan ignored him. “Have you asked Grace out yet?”
Grace squeaked at the mention of her name, and her face reddened. She looked around, saw she was the center of attention, and squeaked again. “Oooh boy,” she breathed.
Matteo shook his head and pointed at Logan. “No. You’re not going to do this. You’re deflecting. I won’t let you do that. Deflect elsewhere, buddy.”
Logan’s eyes darkened. He and Matteo were friends, but he didn’t like getting orders from anyone except Sam or me.
He narrowed his eyes. “I was? Really? I think I’m more curious now than ever. I think you’re the one deflecting. Hey, Grace.”
She stiffened, but looked at him with caution.
“Logan, don’t.” Matteo’s warning was low.
An evil gleam started in my brother’s eyes, and his lips curved. “Has he asked you out yet? Or maybe you guys already went out? Did he underperfor—”
“Watch it, Logan.”
I couldn’t see Sam’s eyes, but her tone was a warning too.
“Don’t be disrespectful to my friends.”
Logan stopped, seemed to realize what he’d been about to do, and closed his mouth. He leaned back. “Maybe we should adopt a new policy where we dine with enemies? I’m in the mood for a target right now.”
Sam pointed over her shoulder toward the rest of the restaurant. “Faith Shaw is out there. Have at it.”
Logan didn’t stand up, but I could tell he was considering it. His eyes met mine. Sam had stopped us from proceeding before against Shaw, and if he went after her now just to release some of his anger, it could backfire.
“Chill,” I said, quietly.
Logan groaned, but did as I said, and the silence that followed was thick and awkward.
“Okay.” Malinda stood again, a second glass of wine in hand. She raised it up like last time. “I want to do another toast, but this one might make me a little teary.” Her eyes shone, and she pressed a hand to the corner of her right eye.
She sniffled, clearing her throat. “Okay. Here it is.” She raised her glass higher. “I’m not trying to purposely leave anyone out, but I have to focus on these three children of mine.” A tear slipped past her hand, making its way down her cheek. She used the back of her hand to wipe it away. “Nate, Matteo, I don’t know you guys as well, but I already love you, and I know both of you love these three too.”
She smiled at Sam’s runner friends. “And you both seem very lovely.” She turned to Taylor, sitting across from Logan and next to Courtney. “I’ve only recently gotten to know you, and you seem perfect for Logan. I can tell he’s very happy with you, but you three.” Her eyes warmed, and her lips started to tremble. She looked at Logan, Sam, and me. “You three have rocked my world. I am beyond happy to have met David, but then his daughter came along, and, Samantha, you took my breath away.” She pressed a hand to her chest. More tears slid down. “And you got along with my Marcus. Oh, my boy. He’ll always be my baby, but he got a sister in you, and everyone now knows that Samantha is a package deal. Mason and Logan come with her, no matter what.”
She chuckled hoarsely and glanced to David. “I have to admit that we agonized over what to do with you, Mason. You had more claim on this new precious baby girl than I did.” Her hand fell to David’s shoulder. “More than David too. You were protecting her from us. That stopped me in my tracks. I couldn’t get over it, but then I heard more, and I started to understand. You and Logan, you’re her guard dogs, and I hope that never ends. Ever. You protect her against the world, and Samantha is one of the luckiest people I know.”
She paused, clearing her throat. “Samantha, what you have with Mason and Logan, I am beyond envious. And I’m an adult, but the three of you continue to humble me. The loyalty and love you have for each other, I can only strive to create the same bond with David and my boy. And I am so very grateful to have met all of you, and to you three . . .” She raised her glass once again. “To the love you have. May we all be lucky enough to experience that once in our lifetimes.”
She stopped and turned to each adult, touching their glass with hers. Garrett’s wife looked like she was fighting back tears, and they all sipped from their drinks, joining the salute.
Sam looked between Logan and me. She had a stunned look in her eyes, and her throat was working. She reached for her drink and raised it toward Malinda.
“Thank you, Malinda,” she whispered.
Everyone sipped their drinks, and another bout of silence filled the room.
Logan frowned, swinging his gaze to me. I raised my eyebrows. If he thought I was going to follow that toast with one of my own, he was a moron. I gave him a look back, letting him know what I thought.
He snorted, grinning slightly. “Fine.” He took his glass and stood up. “I love you, Mama Malinda, and my speeches aren’t usually so nice, but—”
“Not another wedding speech,” Malinda interjected. She was firm on that. “Nothing like that. We were at James and Analise’s wedding too.”
Logan laughed. “No, but technically, my speech was fine that day. I had to be nice. Mason’s was the mean one.”