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I introduced them earlier and it could not have gone better. Abby was a little shocked since meeting my folks was a surprise; I figured I wouldn’t give her any time to fret about it and I think I was a good decision. From my end, the introductions went well.At least no one bit anybodywas my best takeaway. Mom’s been yearning for me to bring home a “sweetheart” as she calls it. She seems smitten with Abby and Jake was an immediate hit as well. Who couldn’t love them both?

So all-in-all it’s been perfect.

Then Wes shows up… with Quinn.

She looks amazing—casual in shorts and a flowy top—and the way Wes watches her?

Yeah, this guy’s in deep.

“Hey, you two!” Abby greets them, her smile widening. She plants a sister kiss and hug on Quinn and an eyeball-to-eyeball motion on Wes as a warning.

“Hope you’re ready for some friendly competition,” Wes says, his eyes flickering to the cornhole boards I set up earlier.

“Bring it,” Quinn fires back, her grin is playful, but her eyes dare him.

Oh boy.

“I hope you’ve been practicing, Archer,” Quinn taunts, picking up one of the bean bags.

“Practicing? Plul=eeze.” Wes smirks, stepping closer. “I’m a natural.”

“Natural at losing?” Quinn raises an eyebrow, her lips twitching.

Wes grins, but there’s a glint in his eye. “Careful, Quinn. Trash talk only makes me more competitive.”

“Good,” she murmurs, her tone low enough that only he hears. “I like a challenge.”

Holy catfish!Even I’m feeling the heat between them.

Abby catches my eye, her expression somewhere between amusement and concern. “Should we… do something?” she whispers.

“Nah,” I murmur, leaning closer. “Let’s see how this plays out.”

Quinn and Wes are locked in, and neither of them is backing down.

***

“Hey, Hayes! Smells good!”

I barely turn before Griffin Shaw strolls onto the deck like he owns the place.

“About time you showed up,” I call out, flipping the burgers.

Griff’s grin is easy as he claps me on the shoulder. “Wouldn’t miss your famous BBQ.”

But then… his eyes land on Jane Archer.

Jane, standing off to the side her arms crossed, watches the cornhole game with quiet amusement.

Jane, who looks every bit the sweet, shy librarian with her oversized sweater and thick-rimmed glasses…

Except, something tells me this librarian is anything but shy.

Griffin’s grin falters for half a second, and I catch the flicker of interest in his eyes before he masks it with that signature charm.

“Who’s that?” Griffin murmurs, his gaze locked on Jane.

“Jane Archer,” I reply casually. “Wes’s little sister.”