“It’s okay, babe,” Sydney said, patting Luke’s arm. “I don’t need your approval to have some friends over.”

“They’re not friends! They’re strippers!”

“Who will be very good friends by the end of the evening,” Stephanie said with a dirty grin.

“You’re not partying with strippers,” Grant said.

“Oh yes, I am, honey,” Stephanie said, laughing at her husband’s outrage as the other women egged her on.

“Maddie won’t be there,” Mac said.

“Grace won’t be there either,” Evan said.

“No Abby,” Adam said.

“Laura is pregnant,” Owen said.

“What the hell does that have to do with anything?” Laura asked him.

“It’s indecent for pregnant women to party with strippers.”

“Color me indecent, then,” Sydney said. “Pregnant and partying with the boys.”

“You are not,” Luke said, glaring at his wife.

“Janey can’t make it that night,” Joe said.

“In your dreams,” Janey shot back. “I wouldn’t miss it for anything.”

Mac noticed that Ned was laughing his ass off. “What the hell is so funny over there?”

“All ya fools thinkin’ ya can tell yer ladies what to do.” He dabbed at laughter tears. “Funniest thing I ever heard.”

“What do you know about it?” Mac asked. “You’re a newlywed. Us crusty veterans know how to manage our women.”

More napkins and other items flew in Mac’s direction.

“You’re such a freaking blowhard,” Janey said.

“No kidding,” Maddie said. “I have a few ideas of how I can show him who’s really in charge around here. I believe I’ll begin his retraining program at bedtime tonight.”

“Oh damn, dude,” Adam said. “You’re getting the deep freeze.”

“I know a few ways to defrost her,” Mac said.

“Better bring your blowtorch,” Maddie said.

“I carry it with me everywhere I go.”

“I’m going to puke,” Janey said.

“So about the strippers,” Evan said. “We’re clear on how we feel about that, right?”

“Crystal clear, honey,” Grace said with a smile for the other women. “We heard you loud and clear.”

“They’re going to do it anyway, aren’t they?” Evan asked no one in particular.

“I believe they are,” Grant said.

“Wait till you ladies see the guys Abby and I hired,” Tiffany said with a wink. “They make the Chippendales look ugly.”

“Wait till your husband hears you’re hiring strippers while he’s off protecting our fair island,” Mac said to his sister-in-law.

“What can I say? The ladies consulted the expert, and I came through for them.”

“Blaine will hit the roof when he hears about this,” Mac said.

“I can’t wait,” Tiffany said. “I love when he gets stern with me.” She shivered dramatically, making the others laugh.

“I was living such a nice quiet life in Nashville,” Evan said, shaking his head. “What was I thinking moving home to be treated this way?”