“I’m glad I re-thought the first outfit I changed into,” Allison said.

Camilla glanced at her friend as she followed the GPS to Hunter’s parent’s estate. “What did you have on at first?”

“An off the shoulder sweater dress. It stopped mid-thigh and looked a little hoochie.” Allison scanned Camilla’s attire. “That was the right move considering you’re over here dressed like FLOTUS.”

Camilla cracked a smile. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“You should.”

With her hair neatly slicked back and pinned on top of her head, Camilla sat in the passenger seat with her legs crossed in a black knee length long sleeved dress. It hugged her waist and flared over her hips, keeping her curves hidden and giving her a Mary Poppins look. Her jewelry was light and simple, wearing diamond studded earrings, a thin 10 karat gold necklace with a small diamond that sat as a charm. There were no rings on her fingers, and her arms held a shea butter glow as if she’d moisturized in it.

“You may want to put your coat back on. We’re coming up to our destination.”

There was a hint of excitement and fear in Allison’s voice. Camilla looked her over. “You’re not nervous, are you?”

Allison peered at Camilla then quickly took her eyes back to the road. “Yes, I am nervous. Unlike you, this will be my first time meeting Lance, and if he’s as gorgeous in person as he is in pictures and on TV, stick a fork in me, I’m done.”

Camilla laughed as the GPS informed them their destination was on the right. Both ladies took their attention to the large castle-like estate.

“My God in Heaven,” Allison said, clutching her pearls. “Who lives in this place?”

“Apparently, Hunter’s parents do.”

“Do you think they all lived here at some point?”

“Hmm, maybe. Let’s go find out.”

Allison pulled into the circular driveway then parked, and both ladies checked themselves once more then left the car for the front door. Allison reached to ring the doorbell when Camilla grabbed her hand.

Allison looked sharply over at her. “What?”

“Listen,” Camilla said, putting her finger up to her lips in a hush. Allison and Camilla held perfectly still and laughter from the side of the home drift toward them. Allison frowned.

“What would they be doing outside as cold as it is?”

Instead of answering, Camilla left the porch and headed toward the voices. Allison scurried to catch up with her, and the closer they became, the more they could make out voices. One definitely belonged to Hunter, and the others were unknown. They passed several rose bushes outside as they traipsed over a manicured lawn. Camilla wondered how the bushes were blooming when the weather was still frigid.

They cut up to a brick pathway that announced their attendance from the click of their heels. Hunter was in a mid-air leap with a basketball rotating off the tip of his fingers. He came down hard, slamming the ball through the net. It swished as he dropped to his feet. His chest was bare, his shoulders broad and strong with melanin popping skin that shined as if he had moisturized in butter himself.

“Damn,” Allison said. She shut her mouth tight after saying it, realizing just then that they were within hearing distance.

Three pairs of eyes turned their way. Lance, Hunter, and Xavier Valentine. Neither of the men wore a shirt but they were all in sweatpants. Hunter’s gray, Xavier’s navy blue, and Lance’s maroon. A smile so strong it could light the city spread across Hunter’s face.

“Hey, gorgeous,” he said, walking away from the bouncing ball. He strolled up to Camilla and eased his strong arms around her waist. Glancing over at Allison, he nodded as a signature salute.

“What are you doing outside like this?” Camilla asked. “You’re going to catch pneumonia.”

Hunter’s smile broadened, and his structured manly jaw only highlighted the grin.

“You think this is funny?”

“Nah, I just like it when you act as if you care about me.”

Camilla put her hands on her hips. “Who says I’m acting? I do care about you. Is that what you think, that I’m playing a role?”

Hunter licked his bottom lip, and his eyes dropped to hers. “No, ma’am.”

Exasperated, Camilla peered at him, and she wondered if this was one of those games he played just to see how much she did care about him.

“Are you messing with me?”

“Yeah.”

Camilla rolled her eyes.

“Get used to it.”

“Maybe I don’t want to get used to it.”

“But I like messing with you.”

Camilla pursed her lips, and Hunter sank his mouth into hers. She thawed immediately, the frigid weather around them no longer a factor.

“Ahem,” Allison said, clearing her throat. She still couldn’t believe Camilla was dating Hunter. After all the “you’re overreacting” speeches Camilla had given her, now they were actually a couple. And from the looks of things, hot and heavy in love. She wondered if they knew it yet and decided this time she would mind her business. Especially since, she only had a limited spell with Lance. She took her eyes to him, not mistaking him for Xavier.

Although there had been no introduction, Allison knew the chocolate bar with braided locks now standing with the ball in his hands was Lance.

“Hello,” Allison said, taking the initiative.

“Why hello. What’s your name, beauty?”

Allison’s cheeks stung with heat at his compliment.

“I’m Allison Sullivan.” She held her hand out, and Lance approached her, crushing the ball against his waist.

He held out his free hand, and a kernel of electricity spread through their fingers the moment they touched. Its sting made them lock eyes, and a smirk of a smile tinted Allison’s lips.

“That’s a lovely name. Welcome to our childhood home, Allison. I was trying to show my brother here who’s got more game.”

Xavier guffawed behind Lance as he sat perched on a wooden bench.

“You shouldn’t tell the lady lies if you mean to make a good impression, young one,” Hunter said. Hunter glanced to Allison. “In all actuality, I was putting a merciful beat down on him. You caught the end of it when you strolled up.”

“That was one dunk,” Lance defended. Xavier laughed with a deeper guffaw.

A screen door to the back entry rocked against the frame. Seconds passed when a voice rang out.

“You all come on in now. It’s cold out here and lunch is ready.”

The men turned to their mother’s voice, and the women followed their gaze. When Mrs. Valentine spotted Camilla wrapped in Hunter’s embrace, a gleam in her eyes sparkled, and the warm sensation made Camilla breathe a bit easier. Mrs. Valentine had an apron around her waist, a long-sleeve sweater that was rolled to her elbows, and skinny jeans fashioned on her legs. Mrs. Valentine’s eyes traveled to Allison, standing mere inches in front of Lance. That only seemed to further lighten her brown eyes.

“I didn’t know our company had arrived,” her voice sang.

“We were coming right in,” Hunter said. He looked back at Camilla. “You ready?” He released her long enough to step to her side and drape an arm around her shoulder.

“Yes.”

Hunter pressed a kiss against her forehead, and they strolled up to Mrs. Valentine. “Mother, this is Camilla Augustina.”

“How are you?” Camilla said, sticking her hands in Mrs. Valentine’s before Hunter could finish the introduction.

“I’m fine, dear, and so happy to finally meet you.”

Camilla peered at Hunter then took her eyes back to Mrs. Valentine. “Finally?” she asked.

A warm smile eased across Mrs. Valentine’s face. With their hands still connected, Mrs. Valentine pulled Camilla forward and intertwined her arm in Camilla’s, taking her completely away from Hunter.

“We can talk about that inside,” Mrs. Valentine said, patting her hand.

They strolled toward the entry with the others in tow to settle in for what would be an elaborate lunch and conversation.

* * *

Elaborate was an understatement when describing the spread of food on the dining room table.

“This house is huge,” Allison said in a whisper as she leaned close to Camilla’s ear so only she could hear.

“I noticed and usually I’m not greedy, but this finger food looks so good my mouth is watering.”

Allison chuckled as she and Camilla admired the display of food. Chopped steak and cheese spiraled into a sliced oven baked bread sat next to mini chicken salad sandwiches. Deviled eggs, and tuna stuffed mini romaine tomatoes were in line moving down the table. Beside them were fresh sushi rolls and grilled eggplant rollups with ricotta pesto. Apple slices, grapes, strawberries, and cherries sat in a crystal mini fruit cup with a whip cream topping in a swirl.

“I take it by that glazed look in your eye, the food is appealing to you?”

Camilla turned to Mrs. Valentine. “It all looks so delicious.” Camilla noted the apron on Mrs. Valentine. She’d seen it outside, but now her interest was more piqued. “Did you cook this yourself?”

The gracious smile on Mrs. Valentine’s face was beaming. “I did.”

“Wow,” both Camilla and Allison said.

“If you’d like to have a seat, my boys will serve you ladies.”

Camilla’s and Allison’s brows rose, and they turned to look at the men who stood in a solid formation with hands behind their backs and aprons now around their waists. The bare chests they’d displayed outside had been covered in dark T-shirts and a lingering smirk sat in the corner of Hunter’s lips.

“Oh, sure thing,” Camilla said. She strolled to a seat at the extended dining table, and before she could sit, Hunter was there adjusting her chair. Camilla’s eyes rode his thick arms and toned biceps and tried with strength not to ogle him in front of Mrs. Valentine. The smirk was still on his mouth, and a longing of some kind was trapped in his gaze.

“For you,” he said in an offer for her to get comfortable.

“Thank you.” Camilla’s hand slipped down his shoulder, giving Hunter a light squeeze. She took her seat but hadn’t missed the buzz crawling through the center of her palm from their brief touch.

After readjusting her chair, Hunter returned to the lunch spread and added a little bit of everything that Mrs. Valentine had to offer to Camilla’s plate. Xavier, and Lance followed suit, with Lance fixing Allison plate, and Xavier his mother’s. As the women waited for their lunch at the table, Camilla took a sip of her water to try and quench the sudden thirst she had, but it didn’t seem to do much good. She lifted the glass to her lips again when Mrs. Valentine’s crossed her legs at the ankles and linked her fingers.

“So, which one of you are going to give me grandbabies first,” she asked.

A spray of water flew from Camilla’s lips, and horrified, she covered her mouth and choked back the rest.

“Oh, dear, are you all right?” Mrs. Valentine asked, handing a crispy folded napkin to Camilla.

Hurriedly, Camilla dabbed her mouth and wiped down her hand and the splotches on her dress.

“Mother, you don’t start off a conversation with who’s going to give you grandbabies,” Hunter said.

Xavier laughed, but Lance dropped his head and grimaced. He didn’t even know Allison. Why would his mother be so desperate for grandchildren that she would ask her that?

“Well what should I start with? I already know her.”

Camilla was taken aback by that comment.

“How do you know her when you’ve just met her, Ma?” Lance’s easy-grooving voice asked.

“Well, I don’t know Allison, yet, but there’s only a matter of time for that. I know Camilla. Hunter talks about her all the time.”

Camilla curved her head to glance up at Hunter who stood next to her holding a plate. He sat it down in front of her and rested a warm palm on her shoulder.

“Forgive my mother, she anxiously wants grandchildren and thinks she knows you through the few conversations we’ve had.”

“Few?” Mrs. Valentine said. She eyed Camilla. “I’ve talked to my son four times this week, and in each conversation, he’s brought you up. And to be truthful, I didn’t say anything about grandbabies then. He adores the softness in your eyes, your humanitarian character, and your beautiful smile.”

“Mother,” Hunter said.

Mrs. Valentine ignored him and leaned in to whisper, but everyone still heard her as they were all tuned in to the conversation. “You make life easy for him. Even when he’s having an odd day at VFC Energy, it doesn’t agitate him the way it used to do. You make him whole, Camilla, nothing ruins his day anymore because he looks forward to getting home to you.” Mrs. Valentine peered at Hunter then went back to Camilla. “He told me as much. I’m not making this up.”

Xavier whistled. “At least I know now to tell Dad if this ever happens to me,” he said.

Mrs. Valentine glanced at her son. “Why, your father will just tell me. None of you can hide this type of information from your mother. So just hush.”

“Speaking of my father, where is he?” Hunter asked, trying to change the subject.

“He’s at a golf tournament, so you’ll just have to deal with me for now.” Mrs. Valentine put a wide smile on her face. “Now, where was I?”