“Oh, we’ll have plenty of time to talk about that later.” Virgil nodded towards a window. “But I just wanted to let you two know that I think the party is supposed to be outside, not inside. Amber’s been setting up for the last half hour.”
“Then, outside we go,” Levi replied as he got up from the table. “Thanks for the heads-up, Uncle Virgil.”
“Just keeping an eye out, as always.” He nodded. “Vigilance serves us all.”
* * *
“Shane was right.I’m starting to like your uncle,” I started, as we stepped into the backyard. “He’s one-of-a-kind?—”
“There he is! Oh, my God!” Amber ran up to me, her arms already outstretched. “Cameron Clarke! I can’t believe I didn’t recognize you at my fundraiser! I’m practically obsessed with you!”
She took me into her arms and kissed me on both of my cheeks. “Welcome to Stratton Ranch! I can’t believe you’re here! And I can’t believe you’re with Levi!”
“Uh, what’s that supposed to mean?”
“Levi, be serious. He’s Cameron Clarke. He could date anybody he wanted to.”
“That’s not exactly true?—”
“Don’t be humble. You don’t have to do that here.” Amber took my hand into her own. “We respect your artistic side, Cameron. Be as free as you want to be.”
“Okay, that’s enough of that.” Cole stood in front of us. “Apologies on behalf of my sister. We love her but she’s yet to understand that not everyone’s a hugger. Or a cheek kisser.”
“I don’t mind, really.”
“So, you’re Cameron Clarke,” he continued. “Thanks for your help with the fundraiser. And sorry about how it turned out.”
“I’d say it turned out pretty well, actually.” Levi beamed beside me.
“Is that Cameron?” A new voice entered the conversation. A few minutes later, there was a man standing next to Cole, their hands casually finding each other’s.
Got it.
This must be Dylan.
“I’m a huge fan of your work, but don’t worry. I’m normal about it. Unlike Amber,” Dylan said, laughing as he spoke. “And I just so happen to be a wedding planner extraordinaire, if you ever happen to need my services?—”
“Baby, they just started going out?—”
“I didn’t say anything about getting married tomorrow,” Dylan gently pushed back. “I’m just letting Cameron know that he has in-house options, just in case. I planned Amber’s wedding. She loved it.”
“He’s right. I did,” Amber added, before waving at the bonfire behind her. “Do you know what else I love, though?”
Amber moved closer to the burning, wooden logs, soon picking up a long, skinny stick. “S’mores! Come on, everybody!”
“We’re still going to have actual dinner, right?” Dylan asked. “As in, we’re going to eat something after this?”
“With Amber? It’s a coin toss.” Cole shot his partner an apologetic look. “But we can always raid the fridge right after.”
The group of us crowded around the bonfire, each with our s’mores sticks held in the flames. There was chatter in the circle, Amber and Doug detailing a recent trip they’d been on, time spent in love and in Greece. I listened to every bit that I could, enjoying the way everyone bantered back and forth, the bond they had so evident between them. When Shane eventually showed up to join the group, Amber threw a few marshmallows at him for being late.
“Take these things seriously!” She playfully scolded him. “One day, you’re going to miss something important!”
“Sorry! I was busy!” Shane replied, while expertly dodging marshmallows, like that wasn’t his first time having to do it.
Even so, Amber forced us all to scoot over just enough to make some room for Shane to join us.
“Running late, hmm?” Levi’s tone was mischievous. “Does that have something to do with yourthriving, personal life?”
