I took stock of all the guests at Robert and Debbra Kelly’s house. When I’d gotten a call from Robert demanding that Spencer and I attend the party, I’d assumed it would be another event like the Fourth of July. Some new reason concocted to get the town together once more, even though it had barely been over a month. But that wasn’t the case. This wasn’t a Lavender Shores party. This was a gathering of the Bryant and Kelly families. They were the tightest knit of the founding families, so close, they acted as one, except on parade days, because heaven forbid there be four founding family floats instead of five.

It seemed Spencer was having a similar reaction. He glanced at me, looking nervous. “What’s going on?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. Definitely not what I thought I was saying yes to.” I spotted Lamont walking toward the kitchen. “Stay here. I’ll go ask Lamont and see if I can get the story.”

“Nice try, but I’m coming with you. For some reason, I have a feeling that someone’s set a trap.”

I had a similar feeling, though I was certain there was no ill-intent. I could see Debbra Kelly and Patrick Bryant throwing a party for the nearly exiled members of the Epstein and Carlisle families. If for no other reason than to rub it in the other founding families’ faces that they were nicer than everyone else. Lord, I hoped not. I slipped my hand into Spencer’s, and we walked to the kitchen.

Lamont was retrieving a bottle of beer from the fridge, and closed the door as we rounded the corner. “Oh, hey.” He blushed.

Bingo. I knew he’d be the weak link. If I let on to Gilbert I was uncomfortable, he would probably just take the opportunity to make the situation even more awkward.

“Okay, Lamont, spill the beans. What’s going on?”

His blush brightened. “I can’t tell you, as I’m not entirely sure, but I will admit it’s my fault that you’re here.”

Spencer’s voice was wary. “That doesn’t sound good.”

“No, it’s okay, it really doesn’t have anything to do with you. Or at least this get-together has nothing to do with you. I swear nothing embarrassing is going to happen.”

“Not to be insulting, Lamont, but you have met your father, right?”

At that moment, Robert Kelly walked through the back door of the house. His eyes lit up as he saw us. “Gentlemen!” He shifted the plastic bags from his hands to the nearest kitchen counter. “Sorry I wasn’t here to greet you. I’d forgotten your love of piña coladas, Donovan. I just ran to the store to get some pineapple juice. Let me throw some ice in the blender and whip one up for you.”

That didn’t make me feel any better. “Thanks, Robert, but that’s not necessary. We’d like to know what’s going on, however.”

He was already removing items from the bags, but he paused to shake his head. “Nope, there’s no one here that knows, except for me. Well, and one other person, but I’m not letting you know which one. I don’t want you to harass her.” His eyes grew wide, and he covered his mouth for a second, then shook his head. “Pretend you didn’t hear that last part, I didn’t mean to give away that it’s a woman who knows. Just relax, it should all be revealed in the next ten or fifteen minutes. Whenever they show up.”

“Oh, so this is about Andrew and Joel?” Spencer sounded relieved. I looked at him puzzled, but didn’t have the chance to inquire.

“Andrew and Joel?” Robert squeaked. “I never said anything about Andrew and Joel.”

“Well, you just said it’ll be revealed when they show up. So unless you invited the rest of the town, the only ones who aren’t here are Andrew and Joel.”

How had I missed that?

Robert shook a bottle of piña colada mix toward Spencer. “I’ve heard you’re a kickass lawyer; I can see why. You might as well be a detective to boot.”

That still made no sense, Andrew and Joel were great guys, and we were friendly acquaintances, but not much more than that. The only one I could actually claim friendship with was Lamont, and sometimes Gilbert during our lapses in professional boundaries. I cast an accusatory glance toward Lamont.

He was redder than ever. “I’m sorry. I happened to mention to Dad that you and Spencer were together, and that you had told the families a couple days ago, and that you were officially out. I might’ve also said that you were looking for ways to make yourselves known among town without there being a lot of drama. Sorry.”

“Sorry?” Robert glowered at Lamont. “Why the hell should you be sorry? A party is the perfect time to announce true love.” He smiled over at us. “I know it’s just our families here tonight, but I wanted us to be your social debut. And I wanted to make certain that you knew that we support your relationship.” His smile wavered, but just for a heartbeat. “I am sorry, Donovan, to lose the chance of ever calling you son. You and Lamont truly would’ve made a handsome couple—”

“Dad!” I don’t think I’d ever seen another human being as red as Lamont in that moment.

Robert was oblivious. “What? The two of you would’ve made beautiful babies together, or at least had fun trying.” His eyes went wide once more. “Oh shit, I shouldn’t have said that.” He shook his open hands in our direction. “Please forget you heard that. I said I wouldn’t give you any more clues.”

All three of us stared at Robert.

Spencer chuckled. “Should I be worried, Mr. Kelly, that your hint was something to do with Lamont and my boyfriend having sex?”

“That isn’t what I meant, but don’t be jealous. We’re all friends here. Don’t pretend you haven’t thought about it. They’re two beautiful men.”

“Oh my God, Dad! Please be quiet and just make the piña colada.” Lamont slapped a hand over his father’s mouth. He cast a beseeching stare in my direction. “You’re a therapist. Fix him.”

Robert mumbled something loudly behind Lamont’s hand, but we never found out what it was. Regina Bryant came rushing into the kitchen at that moment. “They’re pulling up. They’re here! Get your asses in the living room and hide behind the sofa. Pretend to be a lamp, something!” She hurried away.

Robert shook free of Lamont’s hold and scurried across the kitchen after Regina, casting a glance in my direction. “Sorry about the piña colada. If I forget after the announcement, just remind me. I’ll make it extra strong for you.” He winked, and then he was gone.

Lamont looked at us, chagrined. “I’m really sorry. I didn’t know I was getting you into something like this. Whatever this is.”

“Maybe Spencer and I should sneak out the back door while everyone is distracted.”

Spencer grabbed my arm. “Are you kidding? As long as it’s not actually you putting on a sexual show with Lamont—” He considered for a second. “—or, or Lamont’s father, I have to know what the news is. Now that I’m certain it’s not about us. And sorry about the father comment, Lamont.”

Lamont shrugged. “It’s fair game honestly. Who knows what my father would do for a party.”

“I still think—”

“You three get in here and hide!” Robert’s shriek from the living room was so loud, that he couldn’t imagine that the surprise party for Andrew and Joel was a surprise any longer, unless they were a mile away.

We did as instructed, all of us hurrying into the living room and gathering with nearly a dozen or more other people behind the couch.

Someone giggled. Then someone else.

Spencer looked over at me. “This is kind of fun.”

Regina shushed him.

There was a rattle of the doorknob and the sound of feet coming in, followed by the door shutting once more.

“Oh crap.” Joel’s voice cut through the darkness. “Andrew, your dad’s done something again.”

Robert popped up from his hiding place. “Surprise!”

Everyone else popped up as well letting out staggering cries of surprise and wolf whistles, and I was fairly certain someone yelled happy birthday. It seemed everyone was confused.

“Dad, I thought we were just having a dinner.” Andrew grimaced and then gave a self-conscious wave to all of us.

“Not with news like this. Not on your life.” Robert hugged Andrew and then smacked Joel on the shoulder. “Don’t think I didn’t notice your tone about me doing something again.” Robert turned around clapping and addressed the crowd behind the couch. “Hayley? Where are you?” He squinted, his eyes searching.

One of Hayley’s sons, I couldn’t remember his name, piped up from where he’d taken command of a recliner. “She took Olive to the bathroom.”

“What!” Robert’s face fell like the entire night had been ruined. He let out a long-suffering sigh, his shoulders slumping. “Well, I guess we’ll do this part later.” He pointed at me. “Follow me. I’ll finish your piña colada. I might make one for myself.” He considered. “Or maybe just a rum slushy.”

As he walked toward us, Hayley and her little girl rounded the corner of the living room.

Robert threw up his hands, his excitement back. “Hayley! Wonderful!” He ushered her over to stand beside Andrew and Joel, who had been trying to move away. “All right Andrew, are you going to make the announcement, or am I?”

Andrew chuckled and glanced at Joel, who simply shrugged. He looked at Hayley who gave a similar response. “Go ahead, Dad. Heaven forbid I steal your joy of dramatics.”

Robert seemed nonplussed by the comment and cleared his throat, before lifting his voice as if he was the ringmaster at Barnum & Bailey’s. “I am pleased to announce that I am going to be a grandfather!”

The room was silent for a heartbeat, then Debbra spoke, her tone nervous. How she could still be nervous after so many years of marriage to Robert, I didn’t understand. At this point, I would’ve thought it was just another day in the Kelly household. “Excuse me?”

“Dad!” Andrew gaped at his father. “You didn’t even tell Mom?”

He ignored both of them. Clearing his throat again, he gave a little shake of his shoulders. “Like I said, I’m going to be a grandfather, thanks to the glorious Hayley Bryant, as she is going to be Joel and Andrew’s surrogate.”

Again, the room was silent, though more out of confusion than anything else.

Joel spoke up, sounding both a little scared and somewhat flustered. “Andrew and I are going to start a family, and Hayley kindly offered to be our surrogate, so—”

He didn’t get to finish Debbra screamed at the top of her lungs and ran at Andrew, crashing into him so hard that he had to take several steps back to keep from falling. “You’re going to have a baby! You’re going to have a baby!”

Robert stared at his wife, just as shocked as the rest of us to see the ever-stoic Ms. Kelly act like anything other than a queen. And then the room broke in loud laughter and cheers while Andrew and Joel and Hayley were wrapped up in hug after hug.

Spencer grinned over at me. “Personally, I think our night on the veranda was enough of a public debut. But I’m glad we didn’t miss this. Families are such weird things. Beautiful. Stressful as hell, but beautiful. Plus, I’ll be talking about Robert for weeks at the firm. Everyone in San Francisco swears I’m making up all the stories about everyone here. I wish I’d got that one on video.”

I didn’t get to respond before Gilbert came over and slung his arm over my shoulders and thumped my chest. “We might as well book an appointment right now, Doc. My big sister just announced that she’s carrying my best friend and his husband’s baby. Just when you thought you were about to get rid of me.” He winked, and then his smile and tone transitioned from teasing to serious. “I’m glad you guys are here. You’re family by this point, and I’m happy for you both.” He jabbed me in the chest. “And remember, if anybody in town gives you shit, give me a shout.” He waggled his finger between Spencer and me. “And that includes your sister and your ex-wife.” He scowled, thinking. “You know, your family is about as fucked-up as mine. Maybe you should start making counseling sessions with me. I’ll even do one better than you do. I’ll offer you a punch card—ten sessions and the eleventh one is free.”

We laughed good-naturedly at the ribbing, but in truth, my heart was warmed by the entire thing. Things were going to be tense with my father, probably forever, and I wasn’t sure how much longer it would take to get back to normal with Erica, if we ever could. But I had my mother, and my brother and his family. It had looked like Spencer was going to have no one, but now... His thoughts were clear as I watched him look around the room, pausing on certain members of the Bryant and Kelly families. I doubted Robert knew what a gift he was giving us by taking us under his roof as if we were one of their kin, but the emotions playing over Spencer’s face were priceless. Although, knowing Robert, as flighty and outrageous as he was, he’d probably known exactly what he was doing.