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She smiled and lifted a spoonful. “Guess I’d better taste it, then.”

“Not necessary. You probably won’t like it.” Bryce reached for her plate, and Corina swatted his hand.

“Behave.”

Allye effected a somber tone. “I must make my own evaluation, dear brother.” She popped the bite into her mouth. Sugar, spices, and peachy goodness pirouetted across her taste buds. “Not bad.”

Her nonchalant verdict elicited laughter from the others.

“Seriously, Allye. I love this. What did you change in the recipe—and can you share it?” Corina asked as she dug her spoon back into her slice.

Allye almost chuckled at the fact Corina knew her well enough to assume she had tweaked the recipe, despite it being her first time making it. “Sure. It’s just a simple one I found online, but I added a bit of coriander, ginger, and cardamom to the spices it called for.” She took another bite and analyzed the flavor. “I like how it turned out, but next time I might sub brown sugar for some of the white though.”

“I think it’s perfect,” Bryce declared.

“You want more?” She eyed his scraped-clean plate.

“I wouldn’t turn it down.”

She removed the cover from the second pie and dished him another generous slice. Good thing she’d decided to double the recipe. Corina hadn’t mentioned how many they were expecting for dinner, but Wesley, Hailey, and Jenna—or just Hailey and Jenna when Wes was busy—were frequent additions to their impromptu gatherings. Making two pies was better than coming up short, and she’d figured she could leave any leftovers with Bryce and Corina.

After handing her brother’s plate back to him, she turned to the others. “Anyone else?”

Hailey held up her hand. “It was delicious, but I’m totally stuffed.”

Wesley started to answer, but his ringing phone cut him off. He stepped away from the table and answered it.

“How about you?” Allye turned to Corina.

Her friend pretended to be considering. She looked down at her still nearly flat belly and nodded as if coming to a decision. “Baby says we should have a little more.”

“And my little niece or nephew gets whatever they want.”

Bryce released a groan. “You’re going to bethatkind of aunt, aren’t you?”

“Mm-hmm.” She leaned across the table to slide a second piece onto Corina’s plate. She grabbed the pitcher of lemonade. Might as well refill their glasses while she was up.

Corina turned to Bryce. “So you don’t think I should have more pie?”

Bryce waved his hands. “That is absolutely not what I meant.”

She winked at Allye. “Sure sounded like it. A girl could get offended.”

“Better watch it, Bryce,” Eric said dryly.

He sent him a withering look. “You too?”

Eric shrugged and focused on scraping the last of his pie from his plate. Hailey snickered.

Bryce dropped his shoulders and sighed in mock defeat. “Can’t win with all of you against me.”

Corina leaned into him. “I love you. You know that?” She kissed him. And stole a spoonful of pie from his plate while she had him distracted.

“I saw that,” Bryce murmured when the kiss ended.

Corina shoved the spoon into her mouth and dissolved into giggles. Hailey and Allye joined her laughter, and Jenna raised her hands and squealed, obviously enjoying the adults’ antics.

Wesley rejoined them, frustration creasing his forehead. “We’re going to have to go. There’s been an incident with one of my clients’ accounts.”