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Side by side, with their palms pressed together and their fingers interlocked, they nearly let go until they looked at each other, then held on even tighter.

“Hey, everyone!” Katherine waved to her family with her free hand. “This is Matthew.”

As the crush of people descended on them, there were hugs, handshakes, and hellos. Mia, Katherine’s youngest niece, asked if she was married to Matthew.

“No, sweet pea,” she whispered, kissing the four-year-old on the cheek. “But he is my Prince Charming.”

“You’re siwwy, Auntie Kafwhin!” Mia giggled and ran off to play.

Over all the conversation and commotion, Katherine noticed her father hanging back and observing the room. When he turned his attention to Matthew, a slight smile confirmed hisapproval, and Katherine realized that he had never once looked at Max like that.

“My goodness, this Matthew sure won Daddy over in record time,” Ellie whispered in her ear. “Cameron would’ve given his right arm for such a miracle.”

“Poor Cam,” Katherine said, remembering her brother-in-law’s face when he stood in Ellie’s hospital room after their daughter was born. He’d been blindsided by Jerome’s words of congratulations, followed by a hearty bear hug. “What do you think made him the happiest that day: the birth of Jenny or the Jerome Bennett seal of approval?”

When they laughed, it caught the attention of Katherine’s other sisters, and they came over to join the conversation.

“So,thisis what you were being so secretive about,” Andie said, causing Maddie to turn on their big sister.

“You knew about this and didn’t say anything?”

“No, becausesomeonerefused to tell me anything.”

“Well, she’s gonna spill all the details now,” Georgie said as the sisters pushed in closer.

“How long have you two known each other?”

“Isn’t he that new cop?”

“Did I hear his kid call you Mama?”

Before Katherine could think of what to say and what not to say, Matthew walked up with Libby. “Do you mind taking her for a few minutes? Your dad wants to talk to me.”

“Uh-oh…someone’s in trouble,” Andie whispered to her sisters, making them snicker.

“Sure,” Katherine said, holding her hands out to Libby, who leaned away from Matthew’s arms to fall into Katherine’s as the Bennett sisters watched the easy, familiar interaction between them. “Everything okay?”

“Everything’s fine.” Matthew pressed a kiss to Katherine’s cheek and another to Libby’s forehead. “I’ll be right back,” he said before disappearing with her father.

“Do you think it’s about work or you?” Andie asked.

“I’m sure it’s just work stuff.”

“Hmm… I’m not convinced.” Ellie craned her neck in the direction they disappeared. “Seems like an odd time to talk shop.”

“Who cares,” Georgie whispered back. “Am I the only one paying attention? Wake up, you dummies. Our baby sister isn’t dressed like a goth kid, and she’s getting smooched by Mr. Hot Cop while his mom and dad are here to meet the family,andhis kid’s calling her Mama.”

Ellie smacked Georgie on the arm. “Not in front of the b-a-b-y.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t call him Mr. Hot Cop,” Andie added.

“Why not? Heishot,” Maddie argued.

Ellie shook her head. “That’s not the point, Mads. What if he’s your brother-in-law one day?”

“Eeew.” Maddie frowned. “I didn’t think of it like that.”

“Me neither,” Georgie said, rubbing her arm. “Gross.”