Robbie reached around her laughing form and extended a hand. “Hi, Dani. Remember me? I know we didn’t know each other that well, but times change. Thank goodness, right?”
“Hi, Robbie. I do remember you.”
“Take a seat.” He pointed to the empty stool on Kate’s other side. “It’s good to see you again.”
“Dani!” Kate pointed. “Please tell Stilts that he kinda looks like a goose. See, his mouth and chin could be a beak, you know—one of those long, black beaks.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Dani.” Stilts offered his hand. “Don’t mind these guys. Not only are they drunk, but their maturity levels return to high school where it must’ve been cool to pretend everyone was some form of bird. And speaking of, Kate, if you’re going to liken me to poultry, at least let it be something cool. Like—”
“A turkey!” Aiden shouted, giggling.
“This is going from bad to worse.”
“I know.” Bubba leaned forward, and everyone quieted. “You could be one of those flamingos.”
Aiden and Kate shrieked, throwing their hands back.
“The goose was better.” Stilts groaned. He said to Dani, “They’ve been drinking. You can’t tell at all, right?” He winked.
Dani noted the eight empty glasses left on the table. They’d gotten there earlier than expected.
Robbie thumped him on the shoulder. “Chin up, mate. Kate told me I was an opossum the first five months I got back.”
“She has to be an animal.” Stilts pointed to Dani.
“Uh…” Dani was caught. She was half-amused and half-horrified.
“She’s a swan.” Kate smiled. And Dani blinked at the sincerity in that smile.
Then everything was interrupted.
Jonah drew abreast the table, and his sister lunged for him, hugging him. Three other guys followed him—Dani remembered Hawk from high school. They’d been the bad boys everyone wanted be with, or just to be like. Jonah had been their leader with Hawk as his best friend and enforcer. With the same Mohawk, an even bigger muscular build, and tattoos covering his neck, Dani shuddered. He looked like he was still the best enforcer.
“Oh—” Jonah grimaced as he caught Bubba’s gaze. “My little sis is drunk. Good job, brother-in-law.”
Bubba shrugged and grinned. And took a large gulp of his own drink.
“Oh.” Aiden swatted at her brother, and missed. “What are you all crabby about?”
Jonah looked up and caught Dani’s gaze, but he answered, “Nothing.” He shrugged off her hold. “Take my sister, Bubs. I gotta get a drink.”
Kate gasped. “How many tonight, do you think, Aiden?”
“You guys.” Jonah groaned.
“Oh.” Aiden scrunched her face, concentrating. “I’m thinking…five girls tonight.”
“Yep.” Kate gave Jonah the once-over. “Definitely five—at least. He’s got the trendy jeans on tonight with his white T-shirt. He’ll get, at least, five tonight.”
Jonah rolled his eyes and left with Hawk. The rest followed behind.
“I hate my brother. I hate how he got the good genes in the family.”
“Excuse me?” Kate asked in disbelief. “Do you not see yourself? You’re gorgeous, Aiden. You know the one girl who is so beautiful that she’s above scrutiny from anyone else? That’s you.” She snorted. “Thank God you’re nice. Otherwise you’d be a bitch.”
“Oh, please.” Aiden rolled her eyes.
“Dani.” Kate looked to her. “Tell me that you agree.”
“Kate’s right.”
Aiden snorted, gesturing to her. “Have you looked in the mirror, Dani? You’ve got one of those stunning serene looks that make men just drool. Literally.” Aiden stuck out her tongue. “I’m not like that.”
Bubba wrapped his arms around his wife and murmured something in her ear. Aiden blushed and turned to whisper back.
Kate shook her head, a fond smile lingering over her mouth as she watched the married couple. It was evident how close everyone was, and Dani had a feeling this conversation had been brought up a few times.
Finishing his drink, Robbie stood up, and asked her, “Dani, what do you drink?”
“Nothing. Not tonight, anyway.”
“Come on. That’s why we’re at the beer gardens. Fair only comes once a year.” Kate held up her glass. “You know my drink.”
Robbie gave her a similar fond look that she’d just been wearing, and he took her glass. “Only a few more, then you had too many.”
“Come on. I’m off-duty tonight.”
“Are you ever really?” Dani teased, but she caught sight of Jake finally coming inside. He was looking around the place, his jaw clenched and he was moving stiffly. A stiff Jake never meant good things. And when he reached behind him, his hand extending to someone else, she let out a quiet breath of air. A knot started to tighten in her stomach. “On second thought, I’ll take a whiskey.”
“Alright.” Robbie nodded his approval before disappearing in the crowd.
Stilts whistled. “You have changed, Dani.”
“Says the one who never knew you.” Kate barked out a laugh.
But Dani was still watching Jake and after a moment, a feminine hand touched his. That’s when Dani knew for sure—Julia hadn’t gone to some clinic for the weekend.