Page 56 of Gunner

Chapter 24

Lacey was feelinga little bit nervous as she put the last tray of almond cookies in the oven. She’d been out with these women on multiple occasions but tonight was different. Now she was dating one of the men, and she felt like she wanted to pass some strange unknown test.

At least Skye was coming too, and even Roz was popping in for an hour which would be fun. Roz was the scariest in some ways, but in other ways, she was the person who broke the ice.

Taamira had called and said given the situation would she be okay with them hosting girl’s night at her place and she’d been relieved to say yes. She was still unsure about her house and what she’d do with it but going with Bebe today had been a little heart breaking. Liam being there with Waggs she knew was Gunner’s doing, but she’d been glad to have people around her so she didn’t fall apart.

Gunner had wanted her to cancel when he found out the loss adjustors visit coincided with his trip to London, but she’d insisted she’d be fine. Lacey had wanted him there, but she would not be a clingy vine of a woman who couldn’t function without her man or at least she wouldn’t admit it.

The doorbell rang, and Bebe popped her head in the door. “It’s only us.”

Lacey waved them inside. “Come in, come in.”

Skye had Nate drop her off earlier and was just piping gin flavoured cream filling in some raspberry macaroons she’d made.

Evelyn, Pax, Callie, Taamira, and Autumn trooped in with dishes and bottles in their hands. Bebe had Mercy, one of the other Zenobi girls with her, but Lacey didn’t know her well.

“Put everything on the island and let’s start with a drink shall we.” Pax clapped her hand and moved toward the bottles of alcohol, where she proceeded to take drinks orders from everyone. Lacey took the cookies out of the oven and popped them onto a tray to cool. Roz grabbed one, and she slapped her hand.

“Oi.”

“What? I’m breastfeeding, I need my energy.”

Lacey rolled her eyes. “Fine, but only one.”

Roz poked her tongue out at Pax who moaned that was unfair.

They took their drinks and some crisps and dips into the other room and sat in the large living space that overlooked the countryside with fields as far as the eye could see.

“You roll your eyes, Pax, but I kid you not, this kid is sucking the life out of me, and I mean literally.”

“Roz, we’ve all heard your birth story, or should I say horror story, and there are some of us who haven’t had that experience yet, and you’re scaring the crap out of us.” Evelyn glared at her boss who just shrugged and popped the cookie in her mouth.

“Now what I want to know is how it’s going with you and Gunner.” Evelyn wiggled her eyebrows at Lacey who blushed as all eyes landed on her.

“Seriously Ev, you’re not going even to try and be subtle about this?” Callie shook her head and looked heavenward.

“Hush, Callie, we all want to know, so why beat around the bush.”

Callie looked at her. “You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”

Pax laughed and took a breadstick and dipped it in the homemade bacon and onion dip. “No, of course she doesn’t but it will be easier and quicker than Evelyn wheedling it out of her all night.”

Lacey laughed and took a swig of her Cosmo to calm her nerves.

“It’s going well. I met his sister and grandmother, who are amazing and wonderful.”

“You met his family already?” Taamira asked her head snapping straight.

Lacey nodded. “Yep, the day before yesterday actually and they’re so nice. We had dinner and talked, and he was so good with his sister. You can tell how much he loves her.”

“Yeah, he ain’t the only one.” Roz grimaced as she took a sip of her alcohol-free cocktail.

“What does that mean?” Lacey crossed her arms.

“Just that we can see how into him you are.”

“And is that a problem? Because I’m telling you if it is or it offends you in any way, then you can leave right now. Gunner is a good man dealt a horrible hand in life, and he blamed himself for a long time, and I won’t have anyone who isn’t fully on his side bad-mouthing him.”