“Of course he did. He and Gramps are tireless matchmakers.” He kept his voice low so he wouldn’t be overheard. “When they wanted to give Hannah a nudge in Nolan’s direction, they messed with her car on a day when the entire family was otherwise occupied so she’d have to call him for help.”

“They did not!”

“Oh yes they did. Remember the sex toy conference Colton went to in New York?”

Emma stared at him, agog. “Seriously?”

“It gave him an excuse to see Lucy. And they hired Cameron to build the website, hoping she’d fall for one of Linc’s sons. Look how that worked out.” He gestured to Will and Cameron, who had their heads together to plot their strategy to defeat the cocky twins. After she fainted during Hunter’s wedding, the family had found out Cameron was pregnant.

“They’re diabolical.”

“Gramps bought the diner and handed it over to Hunter to manage, forcing him to confront his feelings for Megan.”

“Now they’re on their honeymoon.”

“And the matchmakers are high on their own success,” Grayson said.

“I’m feeling like a deer in headlights all of a sudden,” Emma said.

He barked out a laugh that had everyone looking at them with thinly veiled curiosity. “Don’t make eye contact.”

“Good advice.”

“Oh my God, look.” Grayson held up the clue they’d been given to act out in charades.

Emma laughed when she saw the words deer in headlights. “That’s too funny.” She made a face mimicking the words.

“That’s perfect. You got this one, honey.”

Emma’s insides went haywire when he called her honey and looked at her as if he wanted to drag her out of there for more of what they’d had earlier. She wondered if or when they’d get another chance to be alone together.

Despite a noble effort put forth by Emma and Grayson as well as Will and Cameron, they were no match for the hijinks of Lucas and Landon, who ran away with another charades victory shortly before Hannah triumphed in Monopoly and Gavin quit the Scrabble game he was playing with Ella after she scored a one-hundred-point word.

“Now you see why we all quit her,” Colton said.

“I get it, and I’d like to sign the petition,” Gavin said.

“You sign that petition, and you’ll be living like a monk for a year,” Ella said, glaring at him.

Lincoln held up the petition. “What’s it going to be, Gavin? Are you with us or with her?”

“Ummm, well… The monk’s life doesn’t really appeal to me.” He grinned at Ella. “I guess I’m with her.”

“Pussy,” Lucas said.

Molly shrieked. “Lucas Abbott!”

“Sorry, Mom, but if the shoe fits…”

“It totally fits,” Gavin said, winking at his future brother-in-law.

“I’d like to completely unsubscribe from this family,” Molly said.