Page 22 of One More Yule Log

“Okay. Holler if you need bodyguards to fend off your adoring public.”

The girls giggled madly, and they beat him and Gray to the buffet.

He hooked arms with Gray. “Come on. Let the mom squad stop wondering if you’re available.” Oh shit. “To them, I mean. To them.”

His cheeks were going to light on fire.

“Not one bit.” Gray laughed, bumping hips with him.

“There you go.” He squeezed Gray’s arm. Okay then.

“Everything smells great. What do I avoid?”

“Mrs. McAvoy’s mac and cheese. Crime against nature.”

“Good to know. No noodles.” Gray stroked his wrist with the captive hand.

They glanced at each other and started to laugh.

When they had to separate to fill plates, the mom patrol did swoop right in. “Ben! Introduce us to your friend.”

“Date,” Gray corrected gently. “Gray Carrol. Pleased.”

“Date!” Louise’s eyes lit up. “Oh, how exciting. I didn’t know you were dating, honey. It’s about time.”

Ben smiled a little. “It’s all very new.”

Gray touched his arm but just sort of silently supported him.

“Well, we’re pleased to meet you. I’m Louisa, this is Mariana and Erin.”

Gray shook hands all around. “I hear I need to try grape-jelly meatballs.”

“This is Texan witchery, I swear,” Erin said. “This should be disgusting, and somehow? They’re good.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Ben winked broadly. “I’ve got a magic wand.”

“That’s what Gray says…”

“Mari!” He stared at her for a second before they all cracked up.

Even Gray just hooted, putting an arm around him. Dale would have died on the spot.

No pun intended.

They all got their plates filled and went to sit at one of the banquet tables. By the time they were a few bites in, Gray had three cookie orders, he’d agreed to have the girls over for a slumber party so that Mari and the others could have date nights, and they’d decided to have the annual holiday party at his place. Damn it.

“I think the girls should do some caroling at nursing homes too—”

Ben held up a hand, cutting off more suggestions. “Okay, folks, I am booked solid. Can we put that on the table for next year?” He wanted to spend some time at home with his girl and Fran was packing even now…

“Well, maybe I can take them…” Erin said. “Let me see what I can do.”

“Thanks, Erin. I know Liv would love that.” She thought older folks were the best audience.

“No promises, but I’ll be on break too.”

“Cool. If not, we just chalk it up to busy schedules.” Ben hated to let people down, and he used to do a lot more of the mommy group stuff, but now his time was so much more limited.