Terri waved a hand. “Amen, sister. Amen.”

Everyone around the table laughed, and Serenity said, “See, that’s why y’all are my BFFs.”

“I hope there’s enough for leftovers,” Mark said around a mouthful of a scallop.

She patted his arm. “I’ll make more for you to take home.”

He grinned. “Best sister-in-law ever.”

Serenity leaned back in her chair and found Gabriel watching her. He smiled and winked.

“Well, now,” Chandra said, sotto voce.

She skewered her sister with a look. They were definitely going to have to talk when everyone left.

“Oh, yeah. I love this song.” Dana jumped up with her wineglass and started dancing to “Shame” by Jill Scott.

Terri joined her, and the two belted out the lyrics while the group clapped and encouraged them.

“These lyrics are pretty appropriate for the moment. I hope you and Gabriel don’t miss out on a good thing,” Chandra whispered to Serenity. “Now, that would be a shame.”

Of all the songs to play, it had to be this one. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Don’t you remember what I told you? Casual. Temporary. The end.”

“Girl, I’ve been watching the two of you, and there’s a lot more going on than you care to admit.” She angled her head. “Or maybe it’s more than either of you realize or planned.”

Yeah. Way more than she’d planned. And she had no idea how to make it stop.

Gabriel came around the table and pulled her to her feet. “We didn’t get a chance to dance last weekend.”

Serenity heard her sister laugh but ignored it. Never missing a beat, Gabriel danced her over to an empty spot on the deck. She’d never seen him dance, but the fluid movement of his hips had her mesmerized, reminding her how those same hips moved as he made love to her.

As if interpreting her thoughts, he said, low and sexy, “I can’t wait to have you to myself. I think I’d like a private dance…horizontally.”

She gasped and missed a step. He moved closer and wrapped an arm around her to steady her but didn’t let go, his body grinding against hers in a way that made her want to tell everybody to go home. By the time the song ended, her body was so on fire, she needed a minute. Make that five minutes. Serenity snatched her wineglass up, tossed back the remainder, and set it down with a thud. Putting what she hoped looked like a genuine smile on her face, she said, “I’m going to bring out dessert.” She spun on her heel and headed for the sliding glass door leading to the kitchen.

“I’ll help,” Gabriel said.

She didn’t want him to help. What she needed was a minute away from him to get herself together. But she said instead, “Great. Thanks.”