I sighed. “I should probably go. Mom’s going to be annoyed if I’m late.”

“Tell me how it goes?”

“I will. What’s your schedule like?”

She grinned. “Now that I’m home I’m free as a bird. I would promise to steal you away for some twin time, but if tonight goes well I don’t think you’ll be leaving the house for a while.”

“Here’s hoping.”

“It’s going to be great. Now send those boys over. The faster everything gets going, the faster they can come home to you.”

I stuck out my tongue. “Talk to you later.”

“Bye.”

Quickly putting away my make-up, I checked myself. I looked nice. A cross between what my mother expected of me and what I was now wearing to please myself. The asymmetrical skirt was long, a blue green ombre, and the gray top I had on matched the tones but was a little more severe.

The guys were all in the kitchen when I came down, and they stopped talking when I walked in. “Am I interrupting something?”

“No,” Kade said quickly. “Just last minute talking points before we get in the car.”

“You know you’re supposed to be natural on camera, right?”

Avery stood and hugged me. “We know, baby girl. We’re just nervous.”

“You’re going to be great. And Eva says get over there so you can start.”

He chuckled. “Yes, ma’am. Say hello to your mom for us?”

“I’m not sure if that would help or hurt.”

They all touched me as they left, brushes on my shoulders or across my back. They were nervous if that was all they did. It made me smile.

One good thing about living your life in the public eye was you forgot about stage fright. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been nervous and not annoyed to have a camera pointed at me.

Luke kissed me on the cheek as he passed. “See you later.”

“Bye.”

The house was still with them gone, and I was tempted to bask in it instead of going into the lion’s den. That would only delay the inevitable. Plus, Wes was waiting for me.

He smiled when I came outside. “How are you?”

“I’d be better if we weren’t going to see Mom.”

Opening the door, he let me slide inside. “Your mom loves you, you know.”

“I do know that. Doesn’t mean it’s easy.”

“Very true.”

He sat up front with Henry, and I realized he’d been doing that for a while. As soon as it looked like I might stay, he didn’t feel like it was appropriate. It was sweet.

The sky was overcast with dark, brewing storm clouds, just like it had been for the last few days. It was going to rain later, no question.