Page 79 of Risk It All
Once we got out of the car, we walked toward the multi-story gray house with white trim and black shutters. Laura and Mark’s house was straight out of a magazine. It gave off a historic and timeless element while still managing to look and feel modern.
With the laugher and conversation coming from the backyard, I didn’t bother leading us to the front door. Instead, we followed the noise and the smell of burgers and went straight to the side of the house. The backyard was equally as stunning as the home’s exterior. There was a large patio with a dining set and bistro lights. Mark had an expansive grill and outdoor kitchen, perfect for warm nights like tonight.
Wooden steps took you down to a fire pit surrounded by chairs, and another set of wooden stairs took you down to the dock.
I had so many memories in this yard that it was hard to believe they’d all been in this lifetime. I had no clue where the time had gone. One moment, Lily and I were chasing each other through the grass dreaming about what we were going to do, and the next, we were in our twenties making those dreamsa reality.
Within seconds of us showing up, a chorus of, “Hey, Leo!” sounded from the group.
“Good to see you all, too,” I joked with a wave. I immediately spotted Lily and Jules, and they were going to be my first stop, but I wanted to make sure Leo felt comfortable first. Although, by the looks of it, he fit right in. He fell into an easy conversation with Laura and Mark, handing them the bottles of wine and whiskey he’d picked out.
“There’s my girl,” Gran said as she pulled me into a hug.
I pressed a kiss to her cheek before pulling back, taking in her embroidered jean jacket. “Okay, fashionista. Where’d you find this?”
“Oh, this little thing?” She spun, showing off the jacket embroidered with bright flowers. “I found it while I was out thrifting.”
“Where was my invite?”
“You were busy working, but don’t worry, I got you a few things, too.” She gave my arm a squeeze.
I continued my round of hellos and hugs, finally making it to Jules and Lily. They were sitting next to each other on one side of the table, and I took a seat across from them. Lily already had a glass of wine ready for me.
“Cheers,” I said as I picked it up, clinking my glass with theirs.
“So, you and Leo arrived together,” Lily commented after her sip.
“Because we live in the same building. Remember when you and I would carpool when you lived across the hall?”
“That was different,” she said simply, and I couldn’t argue with that.
“He’s getting a much warmer welcome at his first dinner from Wes than I did,” Jules teased, which had Lily and me laughing.
“I still can’t believe I missed that.” I’d been down in Madison for my yoga conference last summer during the first dinner Jules attended here. While Wes and Jules were inseparable now, they’d had an interesting start when she first got to town, including not the best initial impressions from Wes, who was being a stubborn asshole and trying to fight his feelings. “Luckily, it all worked out.”
“Very true,” Jules said with a dreamy sigh. I didn’t have to follow her gaze to know that she was looking at Wes.
“Oh, come on,” I groaned. “Enough with the googly eyes.” Laura had set out bowls of snacks on the table, and I grabbed a pretzel to throw at Jules.
Lily leaned in, her voice a loud whisper, “Like you didn’t have them when you walked in with Leo.”
I didn’t have time to correct her before everyone made their way over and joined us at the table. Leo took the seat next to me, and Lily gave me asee?look before taking another sip of her wine. I wasn’t sure what this proved, but I wasn’t going to switch seats just because he sat next to me. And of course I was going to smile at him once he made his way over. I wasn’t a monster!
Mark and Laura were at the heads of the table, with Cooper, me, Leo, and Gran on one side. The other side had Hal, Gabe, Lily, Jules, and Wes.
“Leo, I haven’t had nearly as much time with you as I’ve wanted. You’ll have to come over to my house for dinner one day. Can’t say I’m the best cook, but I’m sure we’ll figure something out,” Gran said.
Cooper and I snorted, because Gran wasn’t wrong. She could make a delicious soup, but that was about it. There was a reason why growing up the three of us spent many dinners at the Richards family home.
“I’d be happy to come over and cook you something. Let me know if you have any requests.” Leo’s voice was smooth, charming,and gentle. He not only had a way with words, but he also made those around him feel comfortable. And none of it was an act—it was just who he was.
“You’re quite the gentleman, Leo,” Gran said warmly, patting his hand. “Did you know my psychic lives in Maple Bluffs? Have you gone to her before?”
I was about to interject, because the last thing I needed was my sex curse being brought up at the dinner table, but Leo said, “Yeah, I know exactly who you’re talking about. Dottie is a good friend of my grandma’s. I haven’t gone to her for that reason, but I’ve spent a good amount of time with her. Not so much recently but when I was growing up.”
Dottie…why did that name sound familiar beyond her being my Gran’s psychic. I’d definitely heard that name before.
I inadvertently let out a gasp loud enough to stop everyone’s conversations when the pieces came together. Everyone looked at me with concern washing over their features. I cleared my throat. “I’m—I’m fine. My bite of food went down funny,” I assured.
