No Weddings (No Weddings #1)(48)

Kendall came over and took my face in her hands, pinching my cheeks together. She laughed as I narrowed my eyes. “Awww, why so glum, Cade? You don’t have to lift a finger. You should be happy.”

I arched my brows. “True. I don’t think I’ve ever been waited on hand and foot before.”

Laughter burst out from the kitchen, and Kristen leaned over the counter. “Please. It’s like a regular beer-delivery service around here.”

“Beers don’t count. When you’re getting up anyway, bringing one back for a guest is only common courtesy.”

Kiki snorted. “Funny how you never ‘get up anyway.’”

I shrugged, crossing my feet up onto the couch. “Hey, I can’t help it if I perfectly time my beer drinking to your bladder emptying.”

Kristen arched a brow. “You’ve honed that skill quite well.”

I chuckled, closing my eyes. “Got it down to a science.”

By the time we gathered around Kristen’s dining table for dinner, I’d calmed down about being outnumbered, deciding to go with it. Hannah’s presence didn’t throw things as far out of balance as I’d imagined. My sisters seemed to be on their best behavior tonight.

In fact, if I didn’t know better, after the club prank Friday night and now tonight, I’d swear the Michaelson Three were actually pushing me and Hannah together. I didn’t know what to make of that. At first, instinct made me want to rebel, as anything those three wanted for me, I definitely did not. But for once, even if their motives were likely just to f*ck with me, I agreed with them. I wanted Hannah, twinges of guilt be damned.

Unsure about the whole sisters–Hannah situation, I kept a close eye on everyone, waiting for some catch I’d missed to reveal itself.

Tonight’s meal was actually a group effort, as Kristen also prided herself on her cooking. I’d been kicked out of the kitchen at the onset, but heard laughter and cooperation. They’d shared preparation tips and “reducing” techniques.

I glanced at the spread on the table, impressed. “What is all this?”

Kristen grinned. “Melon, stewed tomato, and prosciutto gazpacho; braised vegetable roots; and chicken two ways, stuffed and pan fried with shallots, haricots verts, and wild mushrooms.”

The soup was already in individual bowls, but we helped ourselves to the rest from big platters in the center of the table. I held myself back from digging in until Hannah had taken what she wanted. She gave me a quick glance and held my gaze for a beat longer than necessary before handing me the serving spoons.

Kendall poured everyone white wine, then raised her glass. “I want to give a toast.”

We all raised our glasses.

“To our new business tightening the bonds of family and friends.” Kendall glanced at Hannah. “I know I speak for all of us in saying we’re glad Invitation Only brought you into the fold, Hannah. We were great as a foursome, but having another girl in the mix (and helping us give Cade shit) makes us grateful we’re now a fivesome.”

I coughed hard, somehow forgetting how to breathe for a moment.

But the way Hannah beamed beside me made me sober up and be grateful too.

“I second that!” Kiki shouted.

“Hear, hear,” I agreed. “I would just like to say, if anyone else has to give me shit, I’m cool with it being Hannah.” I tipped my head toward Hannah before taking a swallow of the dry wine.

Kiki put her glass down. “So, tell us about the bakery, Hannah. You just opened it, right?”

Hannah nodded. “Two months ago. Sweet Dreams is doing well, I think. New customers come in every week from word of mouth. My two employees, Daniel and Chloe, are amazing. Daniel had an idea to solicit corporate businesses in the area for their office functions. Our latest big orders have come from financial firms, title companies, and real estate offices.”

Kristen wiped her mouth with her napkin. “That’s great. I’m happy things are going so well outside of the events with us. Makes me feel less guilty for demanding you be exclusive.”

“Me too.” I nodded. “Since we insisted on your exclusivity and compromised on no weddings, I’m glad your business is booming.”

Hannah took a sip of wine, then put her glass down. “Don’t kid yourself. The Invitation Only contract was to my benefit. Why work my ass off when I can charge top dollar to your clients?”

Kendall snorted. “Cade, have you been training her?”

Unwilling to share details about our dinner–study arrangement for fear my sisters would read into it, I kept my reply brief and shrugged. “I’ve given her a few valuable business tips.”

The dinner conversation died down into small talk while we ate the incredible meal they’d cooked. And for dessert, they’d made some kind of gelato.

They made a big production out of giving me a bowlful. The three of them stared at me.

I furrowed my brows and looked down. “What flavor is it?”

Kristen crossed her arms, shaking her head. “You have to take a bite before we tell you.”

I stared at the three pale green scoops in my bowl with suspicion. “Kiki, did you sneak ganja into the gelato?”

She snorted. “No. And I don’t know where to get weed.” Her eyes sparkled with mirth.

Uh-huh.