Claire smiled. “You don’t have to apologize. Your kids are adorable.”
“I think so too.” Miranda stood up and searched the room for her husband. “Seth, help me with the turkey?” she called out.
Seth didn’t even hesitate. With a beer in hand, he abandoned his conversation with Dylan and Cash, and dashed into the kitchen with his wife.
“Oh, he’s so whipped,” Jen said with a laugh. “I absolutely love it.”
Claire glanced back at the blonde, who was sitting right beside her. Aidan was on Claire’s other side; he wasn’t touching her, but the heat of his thigh and scent of his aftershave were comforting. There were so many people here, all of them strangers to her, and a part of her felt like an interloper.
At least until Jen grabbed her hand and squeezed it tightly. “Look, I promised Cash I wouldn’t bring this up—” She rolled her big blue eyes. “He thinks it’s inappropriate holiday subject matter. But I just want you to know that Dylan’s brother is a total douchebag.”
Claire choked out a giggle. “Wow. Well. That’s honest.”
“I’m serious. Everything I know about the guy, I absolutely hate.”
“Me too,” Holly Scott chimed in from the other end of the sofa. “I met him right after Dylan joined the team, and all he did was drone on and on about cigars. Do I look like a cigar aficionado? Why did he pick me, of all people, to have that conversation with?”
“At least you didn’t get the golf talk,” Jen told her sister-in-law. “When I met him, he went on for a good half hour about the new putter he bought.”
Claire sighed. “Yeah, Chris is really obsessed with that putter.”
“I’m so sorry he walked out on you on your wedding day.” Jen’s voice was laced with genuine sympathy. “That’s unforgivable and you deserve a whole lot better.”
“Thanks. But if I’m being honest, I was relieved he didn’t want to go through with it. I think I knew marrying him would be a mistake, but I just couldn’t admit it to myself.”
“It still doesn’t excuse his taking off,” Jen declared. “I can’t believe someone like that is actually related to Dylan. Dylan’s like the sweetest guy on the planet.”
“He’s been pretty wonderful these past couple of weeks,” Claire confessed.
“Hey, sis, come settle an argument between me and McCoy.” Carson’s booming voice sounded from across the room.
Jen rolled her eyes again. “I love how I’ve become their referee. Every time they bicker, I’m the one they both look at, thinking I’ll back them up.”
“I’ll go with you, hon,” Jen’s sister-in-law offered with a laugh. “That way you can take Cash’s side and I’ll take Carson’s, and everyone’s happy.”
Claire grinned as the two women excused themselves. That left an empty spot beside her, which Jackson quickly took advantage of.
Dylan, who’d been chatting with Matt and Savannah, immediately swiveled his head, tensing up when he spotted Claire’s new couch mate. He didn’t march over like a caveman, but he did keep an eye on them, which made her want to laugh.
“So, sugar, how much longer are you in town for?” Jackson asked in that deep, sexy voice of his.
“Just another week.”
She felt Aidan stiffen, but he didn’t say a word.
“Did you get a chance to do some exploring? Please tell me those boys have been showin’ you a good time.”
Oh, he didn’t know the half of it…
“Yeah, we did a few things,” she said vaguely. “It’s been fun.”
Aidan chuckled softly.
“Well, if you need another tour guide, I’d be happy to show you a few places, sugar.” Jackson flashed a devilish smile that succeeded in making her heart skip a beat.
Lord, did the SEAL program only recruit heartthrobs or was it simply a coincidence that all of Dylan’s teammates were drop-dead gorgeous and oozed charm?
She thought she’d managed to mask her reaction to Jackson’s killer grin, but clearly she hadn’t, because suddenly Aidan’s arm came around her, his hand resting possessively on her shoulder.
Jackson immediately got the hint, his eyebrows rising. “Ah, Rhodes has already staked his claim, I see.”
As usual, Claire’s cheeks turned bright red. She didn’t quite like the idea that she was something to be “claimed”, but Jackson’s blatant appreciation combined with Aidan’s obvious jealousy and Dylan’s watchful gaze did wonders for her ego.
How many other woman could say they had three very attractive men interested in them?
“Dinner’s ready! Get your asses in here, boys and girls.” Seth’s mocking voice wafted out of the kitchen, prompting Jackson to shoot her one last grin before he wandered off.
Claire was about to get up when Aidan tugged on her hand. He pulled her toward him and kissed her before she could protest. Brushed those firm lips over hers, slipped her a little tongue and then broke it off.
“What was that for?” she asked.
He pointed at the ceiling.
Her gaze followed his finger to note the sprig of mistletoe hanging above them.
She laughed. “I didn’t even notice that.”
Heat flared in his eyes. “Why do you think I told you to sit here?”
“So it was your evil plan all along.”