Taking Shots (Assassins, #1)(55)

Elli was the beast.

“Hey, Elli, this is my brother-in-law, James, James this is my girlfriend, Elli Fisher.” The room went quiet as Grace and James looked back at Shea, then to Elli.

“Hold on, what did you say?” James asked, as Grace went, “Did you just say girlfriend?”

Elli blush deep red, looking down at the floor until she heard Shea’s booming laugh, “Yes, I said girlfriend, because she is.”

“When did this happen?” Grace asked, still looking confused.

“Thursday,” Shea answered, kissing Amelia’s cheek and putting her down, “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Shea, I think the last girlfriend you had was Alyson Jacobs, in 12th grade, I’m sorry if I’m a little shocked,” Grace said, leaning against James. Shea smiled, then looked back at Elli. She just shrugged her shoulders, not knowing what to say or do. “Wow,” Grace said shaking her head, then she smiled, “Well, come on, let’s eat.”

After that, it was easy. Grace was amazing, but Elli had already known that. James was funny, but serious all in one. He would get so mad when Shea and Grace teamed up against him, and they did it a lot. It would be about the kids or Ryan’s hockey or Amelia doing dance. Anything James said, Shea and Grace went against it. It was really funny, especially when James’ face would turn beat red, that had Elli laughing so hard, she couldn’t breathe.

“Oh, you just wait, Elli. Grace is nice to you now, so was Shea to me when we were just dating. But as soon as you guys get married, it all goes to hell and you’re an outside to the Shea and Grace show.” Everyone laughed at that, but Elli just smiled, moving around some of the amazing three cheese mac and cheese Grace had made. Like Shea would ever marry her. It had taken him what, eleven years just to get a girlfriend, shit; he would probably never get married.

“We aren’t that bad,” Grace said with a shake of her head, “but he is my twin, and I do love him a lot. So we tend to go into our twin mode.”

“I think it’s cute,” Elli said with a smile, taking another bite of steak.

“Yeah, well you just wait until you meet the rest of the Adler clan. Their mom, jeez, she’s a hoot, and their dad is amazing, the best father-in-law ever.” Grace leaned over to kiss James’ cheek as Shea nodded.

“My dad is pretty awesome,” Shea agreed. Grace nodded her head, taking a sip of wine.

“How about your family James, do they live here?”

James shook his head, “My parents died when I was nineteen. I have Grace and my kiddos, that’s it.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry.”

“It’s fine, thank you, though. When I found Grace, everything fell into place, so I’m good now.” Elli smiled as Grace leaned over again and kissed him loudly on the cheek.

“How about your family Elli, do they live here?” Grace asked.

“Not in Nashville, but in Clarksville,” Elli said with a smile.

“Both your parents?”

“Yup, they are still married after 32 years.”

“That’s nice, you said you had three siblings?”

“Yup, my brothers, Liam and Noah, then my sister Victoria. I’m the youngest.”

“Are they all married?”

“Victoria isn’t, but Liam and Noah are, both have three kids.”

“Does Victoria have children?”

“Jesus, no, she hates kids.”

“Wow,” Grace said with a laugh, while Shea chuckled.

“Yeah, I on the other hand, love kids. I take my nieces and nephews once a month to go hang out. I love them so much.”

“That’s so nice!” Grace gushed, looking over at Shea, “Shea did that for me a couple of weeks ago, and then my son came home talking about open mouth kisses.” Elli had taken a drink before Grace started to speak and promptly spewed her drink everywhere with Grace’s comment. Everyone died laughing, as Elli wiped her mouth.

“Oh, my goodness!” Elli laughed. Shea was about to fall out his chair while Grace held her gut, and James turned bright red with all of them laughing their butts off.

The rest of the dinner was awesome; they talked about hockey, about the kids, and about Shea leaving tomorrow, which Elli really didn’t like talking about. Elli helped Grace with the dishes as Shea and James went to play with Ryan outside, hockey, of course. Elli was washing a dish and watching Shea slap shot a puck at his brother-in-law when Grace walked up beside her.

“He likes you, you know.” Elli looked over at Grace. Every time she looked at Grace she saw how much she and Shea looked alike. They had the exact same eyes, and nose, except Grace’s didn’t have a bump, same hair, and same cheek bones, everything was the same. Grace was a beautiful woman, while Shea was a gorgeous man.

“You think so?”

“Oh, I know so. I’ve hear about you every time I call him.” Elli smiled, looking back down at the dishes, “I like you, too, Elli, a lot.”

“Aw, thanks Grace. I just adore you and your family.”

Grace smiled warmly, “I’m glad, but let me tell you, don’t hurt my brother.” Elli looked up quickly, shaking her head.

“I never would think of it.”

“Good, I didn’t think you would, but he seems smitten with you, and that scares me, considering he never has been, smitten, I mean.”