Catie hadn’t been ready for serious for many, many years.

“It’s too early to be thinking this way,” she muttered to herself. “Even if he kisses you like a lover and not friends with benefits.” Her stomach got fluttery at the memory of their kiss on Tamaki Drive, with the city glittering in the distance and Danny’s hand warm and familiar on her back.

Something had changed that moment, but what it meant, she didn’t know.

23

THE INFAMOUS WALL OF SHAME

She turned up to Danny’s birthday dinner the next day—Friday—with a box of macarons that were a favorite with the family. Alison and Joseph had thrown Danny a big party for his twenty-first, as they’d done for all their boys, but after that, he’d kept his celebrations low-key. Dinner with the family followed by drinks out with his friends.

Catie did it the same. Clive was sometimes around, sometimes not, and Jacqueline still had trouble putting family over business at times, but Harlow, Ísa, Sailor, and the kids never let her down—and since Catie always invited the Esera family, the guest list for her and Danny’s dinners were remarkably similar.

The gatherings had always been a fun and laid-back affair, but—after her realization yesterday—she was feeling unsettled about facing Danny. Then she turned the corner into the living room, saw him laughing with Sailor.

And he said, “Hey, princess!” A glance at his watch. “What time do you call this?”

“Sorry, had an appointment to get my pet squirrel a haircut.”

“You two,” Alison said with a laugh and leaned in to kiss Catie on the cheek. “Oh, I think I spy a familiar pink box.”

Catie passed over the macarons. “I got the jumbo size. Cleaned out the little bakery.” That wasn’t why she’d been late by fifteen minutes—she’d been stuck in traffic due to unexpected roadwork. “Sorry I’m late.”

Alison patted her shoulder. “Don’t mind Daniel. Jake and Jules and Esme aren’t here yet—and Sailor and your sister only arrived a minute ago. Had to handle a toddler tantrum first.”

“I can’t imagine that cutie throwing a tantrum.”

“Oh, Connor has his moments,” Alison said with an affectionate smile. “But all in all, they’re few and far between.” She nodded over at Danny. “Connor reminds me of my Daniel. He hardly ever threw a tantrum, barely even made a fuss when he got hurt.” Alison’s gaze turned misty. “He’s so easy, my boy, and I worry that we let him down.”

Catie blinked. “Why?” Alison and Joseph were perfect as far as she was concerned.