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“How can something that cute,” Ben said, pointing to Brianna’s purse, then to Kaden, “come from that?”

“She gets it from her momma.” Kaden replied and kissed Bree’s temple.

“Well, I will admit, Bree is hot, but that baby looks like you, and she’s cute. No fucking way could you deny her.” Jason tipped his beer back, taking a long drag.

Brianna smiled. “Leave him alone.”

“Or what?” Ben said, grinning ear to ear.

“Or I’ll kick your ass.”

“Brianna,” Blair called from behind them.

“Hide me!” She ducked in front of Kaden who protectively wrapped his arms around her body.

“I think she can still see you,” Kyle said singsong, rocking on his heels. The other guys laughed.

“Brianna, there’s someone I want you to meet.”

Feeling defeated, she stepped back from Kaden, who smiled just like the rest of them. “Some husband you are.”

The grin only widened.

“Hey, Bree, if you had married me, I would have protected you.” Jonathan wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. “In fact, we wouldn’t even come to things like this. We’d be at home—“

“Okay, enough of the visual.” Brianna held up a hand. She shoved her glass into Kaden’s hand. “You fill this up, and if I’m not back in thirty minutes, you’d better be heading up a search party.”

“And if I don’t?”

“It’s just you and your hand tonight.”

She walked away with her head held high as all their friends laughed and ooh-ed at her comment. Kaden shook his head, staring after her as she went to where Blair stood with a very official looking man.

“Oh, Brianna. This is Judge Parker.” Blair looped her arm in Brianna’s and smiled at the man. “Judge Parker, this is my daughter-in-law Brianna. She married my eldest, Kaden.”

Brianna stuck out her hand. “It’s a pleasure.”

The judge smiled, though he didn’t take her hand. Feeling like a loser, Brianna dropped it wishing Kaden would come back with her drink at hand.

“Well, thank you for the invite, Mrs. Riggens, but I must get home to my wife. Tell your husband I’ll see him in court Monday.”

The judge left the two women standing there, and Blair looked utterly baffled. “What an ass.”

Brianna chuckled. “Who is he?”

“The asshole Greg has to go before Monday. He’s the new family court judge in Raleigh.”

“Is he the one handling Kaden’s case?”

“Oh, I forgot about that. Probably. They said he’s taking over a lot of the other judges’ responsibilities. He’s hardcore, they say, but fair. Just what this town needs.” She rolled her eyes and led her to the food table.

After picking up more than enough food for one person to eat, she turned around and found herself in Kaden’s arms.

“Saving your ass, I see.” She took a bite of a cream puff.

“You look like you need this.” He handed her the drink, kissing her forehead. “What were you doing talking to Judge Perkins?”

“Your mom wanted to introduce me. He’s a prick.” She took a drink of the slushy liquid handing it back to her husband. “Is he the one you’re going before?”