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“It’s a good thing you’re mine.” His body vibrated against my ear at the words.

His phone rang, cutting off anything else I was going to tease.

It was easier if I reached into his pocket for him, but I took my sweet time, palming his ass through the denim.

It was only fair, but the prospect at the front gate was calling, and I quickly hit accept.

Holding it up to Grizz’s ear, I waited silently.

“Okay,” Grizz said, standing straight up as the phone went dead in my hand.

I wanted to ask what was going on as I shoved the phone back into his pocket. However, this was a family party, and I didn’t want someone to question why I didn’t know my place. If it was a big deal, I could always ask Grizz later in private.

“Your gift is here.” He smirked as he circled to face me.

“What did you do? It’s bad enough there’s a gift table for Pumpkin.” I had tried to tell Grace no, but she’d told me the club wouldn’t listen, anyway.

“If we’re not invited, we can head home.”

Charlie. I knew her voice instantly, and when I spun around, my best friends were standing in front of me.

“Surprise!” they sang, holding more pink gift bags.

I threw both arms out, wrapping one around each of them.

“What are you doing here? I didn’t tell you about today.” I hadn’t invited them because I hadn’t known how today was going to go. If I crashed and burned, I didn’t want them to witness my demise.

“I’m so going to beat your ass for that,” Charlie laughed as she tightened her arm around me. There were two gift bags hanging from her wrist, and they poked us in the side each time one of us moved.

“You’ve never been in a fight,” I laughed with her. Charlie had always been the friend who stood up for the rest of us. If she wanted to beat my ass, I knew she’d figure it out.

“You’re funny,” Stella said. “Let’s see. Grizz invited us, Grace called to confirm we were coming, and I received a few texts about the date.” She winked, shifting away from me so that she could hug Grizz. I swore I heard a growl somewhere behind me.

I rotated, throwing my arm around Charlie’s shoulders as she snaked hers around my back. Pumpkin had captured Stella’s undivided attention, and we observed the two of them bonding.

“I told her to play it cool,” Charlie said, shaking her head as she laughed. “If you can’t find the baby, look for Stella.” She squeezed me, and I laid my head on her shoulder.

Once I had told them the horrid tale, we’d talked regularly, but it wasn’t a substitute for having them here. This was much better.

“Here, trade me.” Grizz took the gift bags from Stella, hanging them from his wrist as he bent down, letting her reach for Pumpkin. Stella transferred the blanket to her shoulder and situated the baby.

“You’re the most beautiful baby I’ve ever seen. Trust me, there’s been a lot, and I don’t say that lightly. Your Aunt Charlie is just being weird because she’s afraid of dropping you.” Stella giggled.

“I’m so thankful you’re here,” I whispered to Charlie. I’d tell Stella later how much I appreciated her. She wouldn’t have heard a thing I said, too engrossed in Pumpkin. I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

***

The day was winding down, and even though I was tired, I still had a smile on my face.

I had assumed this would be like any other networking event.

I’d say the right thing, laugh at their jokes, and theoretically close the deal.

It had sounded good, but a family picnic wasn’t the same.

I cared, and the more I tried to get the members I didn’t see all the time to at least tolerate me, the more I felt like I was failing.

It hadn’t helped that Grace had spent more time with the club than I had.

She floated in and out of conversations effortlessly, and I was the standoffish one.

Every time I stumbled, I could just see the person I was talking to making the comparison, and there was only so much resolve I could muster for one day.

My friends had read the situation and stepped in quietly. Charlie made sure I walked around, meeting people. She had no problem with small talk, so she’d drop me off in a circle of club members, excuse herself, and pick me back up when I wilted.

Stella had taken over as Pumpkin’s favorite aunt.

She let the members fawn over the baby but never relinquished control.

They didn’t pass Pumpkin around like a hot potato, and I didn’t care if we got flack for that.

It helped me to relax, knowing Dead didn’t let Stella out of his sight.

Two of the most important people in my life were guarding my baby so I could make a good first impression.

It was towards the end of the night, and the hangarounds were arriving when I went to grab a couple of waters from the cooler.

“Your friends are nice,” Bear said to me, popping up at my elbow.

“Thank you.” I didn’t know what to say. Bear had influence within the club, and while I hadn’t been actively avoiding her, I hadn’t wanted to cross her path either. She was a Grace fan, and this felt like a test I’d been actively avoiding all day.

“Sabre and Pretty’s mother was my best friend, and I’d do anything to have that woman back for even just an hour.” Her gazed roamed over the remaining members in the yard. “I’m sure you’ve heard the ‘club is a family’ bullshit. It’s true, if you like a dysfunctional, rowdy bunch.”

Bear looked lost in her own world, so I stood there, listening.

“You don’t let any of these assholes break your spirit.

The only man you have to please is your own, and you’re doing a damn good job.

Grizz has never relaxed in all the time he’s been here.

I saw him smile today and definitely heard a laugh.

” She winked at me, patting my arm. “They named you Buster for a reason. You might need to remind them every now and again,” she laughed, before walking away.

I cleared my head as I grabbed a couple bottle of waters and headed back to where my friends sat at a picnic bench.

“Did you get the official seal of approval?” Charlie nodded in Bear’s direction.

“I’m not sure, but she said the two of you are nice.” I set the bottles in the middle of the table before sitting on the bench next to Charlie.

“We are nice,” Charlie laughed. “Seriously though, when I grow up, I want to be just like Bear. That woman doesn’t give a fuck, but I’m glad we came. It makes me feel better knowing you need us.”

I twisted the cap off of my water. “When are you two heading back? It’s getting late, and you both have to work tomorrow.”

“Nope, I’m off for the week.” Charlie winked at Stella.

“I’m off until August.” Stella smirked at me. She had never smirked in her entire life, and I’d been around for most of it.

Our friendship only worked because we had made a choice early on to include each other in everything.

They were hiding something from me, and this was the first time I had ever felt like the third wheel.

If they didn’t talk soon, there would be hell to pay.

I didn’t like this feeling. “What are you talking about?”

“Surprise!” they both exclaimed.

I frowned, not understanding what was going on.

I didn’t register Grizz sitting next to me until his leg bumped mine, and I jumped.

“Did you know about this?” I asked him, even though I still didn’t know what they were talking about.

If he said yes, I wasn’t sure how I was going to react.

I really didn’t like secrets, but luckily, he shook his head, not saying a word.

“Mer, you need a village to raise a baby,” Stella said, pausing when Pumpkin yawned and stretched against her. “We’re a part of that inner circle, but we can’t help from so far away.”

“As much as we miss you, neither one of us would make you choose. You’re happy, so we talked about it and we decided to move. We don’t want to be the aunts four hours away,” Charlie filled in the rest.

I didn’t know what to say. My chest tightened, my breath exiting in little puffs.

I would have done the same thing for them, but I was having a hard time believing my friends had moved to be closer to me and my growing family.

“They moved,” I squeaked, hitting Grizz in the arm. “They’re going to be in our village.”

Grizz wasn’t having a problem with this news. He sat next to me, sipping his beer, as if creating a scene was normal.

“What the fuck?” Dead was swinging his leg to sit next to Stella when he caught the end of my statement. Dead knew exactly what he was doing when he straddled the bench, boxing her in with this large body. She’d have to turn to the other side to stand, and it would have been difficult with Pumpkin.

“Charlie and I rented an apartment in town, so we’re only fifteen minutes away.

” Stella shrugged, knocking her elbow against his crossed arms. “If you want my undivided attention, ask me to dinner.” Dead’s face paled at the suggestion.

If he hurt my friend, he was going to be the first one reminded why they had named me Buster.

We’d never heard Stella speak so forwardly before, and it had thrown us.

Charlie gripped my hand, needing the support, and I didn’t hesitate.

My mouth was wide open and my eyes bugged out.

Charlie laughed, her eyes just as wide as mine, but when no one else was laughing, she tried to hold it in.

A chuckle would escape, and Charlie would cover it with a fake cough.

Shocked didn’t even begin to describe how we were feeling.

“The owners are going to let you walk away from the center? They love you.” I quickly regrouped.

I wanted to know all the details, and if I didn’t do something, I was going to lash out at one or both men at the table.

Dead hadn’t stopped staring at Stella, his color not improving.

Grizz was still sipping his beer, as if this was a daily occurrence.

“They’ve been working on a new center here.

It’s set to open in August, but they haven’t hired a director yet, so the last time I saw the owner’s wife, I asked.

Transferring me would be easier, then they can simply promote my assistant.

I’ll hire and train the staff this summer, and then we’ll be ready when they are.

” Stella dropped her gaze to Pumpkin. “When you’re old enough, you’re going to spend the day with me. I can’t wait.”

“Oh god. She can’t grow up that fast.” My face fell, thinking about when Pumpkin would be old enough for daycare.

“I’ll recruit some brothers to help with the heavy lifting. You just need to tell me when.” Grizz patted my back, making me crush on him a little harder. He would have never offered unless he thought they were family. They were, and I was glad he saw it the same way I did.

“No need. We got it done.” Charlie unscrewed one of the water bottles. She took a drink before setting it back on the table.

“What about you?” I asked her. “You love to fly.”

“The other airport is closer from here, so I transferred. Get this? They have a red eye route, and you know how much I love those.” She smiled genuinely, and I didn’t need to question her happiness. “Most people sleep through the snacks, so I call that a win.”

The tears streamed down my face as I laid my head on Grizz’s arm. He didn’t hesitate to wrap it around my shoulders, comforting me with the heat of his body.

Everyone told Grizz and me that Pumpkin was a lucky girl. Grizz had claimed her, and she’d never want for anything. I couldn’t describe it, but I knew exactly how that felt. My friends had uprooted their lives for me, and while I didn’t consider it a win, I was definitely a very lucky girl.