Keiran’s eyes widened at her retelling of the tale, and his gaze swung back to Laney, who was now cradling a giant hamper. “Wow, she’s great.”

“Yup,” Cherisse agreed.

Laney ushered them over, eyes gleaming as she presented the winning hamper. Cherisse suspected Laney was already tipsy. She’d been guzzling mimosas like juice. But if you couldn’t get drunk at your own brunch, what was the point?

“Whoa, this is...” Keiran gaped at the hamper. The thing was enormous and, as Cherisse tried to peer through the clear wrapping, seemed to be bursting with goodies, gift vouchers, and what looked like an expensive bottle of wine.

“Congrats!” Laney corralled them in for a winner’s photo. “I’d hoped you two would win. None of these other heifers deserve it.” She cackled, and Mira shook her head, releasing a small laugh as Laney planted a loud smack on her cheek. “I’d have gone for the lips, but I don’t want to scandalize the heteros.” Laney’s smile grew mischievous. “On second thought...” She shoved the hamper into Keiran’s hands and dipped Mira into a scorching kiss, leaving her wife flustered, cheeks pink as they came up for air. “If anyone’s got a problem with me kissing my wife in my own damn house, they can get the fuck out.”

Not a single soul made any movements. It truly was some sort of miracle that Laney and her mother became friends in the first place and managed to remain so.

“Excellent!” Laney clapped her hands. “Now, if you’ll excuse us.” She linked her hand with Mira’s. “That kiss was hotter than anticipated, so now Mira and I need to take care of some business.” She waggled her brows.

“Laney, oh my God, you can’t just say things like that,” Mira protested, face getting redder. Laney dipped her head to whisper into her ear. Cherisse had no idea what she’d said, but judging from the way Mira blinked at Laney before dragging her in the direction of the house, it was safe to assume it was something naughty.

“Well,” Keiran said, hefting the hamper. “This has been the best first brunch ever.”

Cherisse agreed. By the time they decided to leave, half the guests were well into their day drinking. Laney made them both promise to return next year. Cherisse wasn’t sure how that would work out. Keiran was only here because of their ‘you show me yours, I’ll show you mine’ deal, but he seemed enthusiastic about the idea.

She’d actually had fun. With Keiran. Sometimes at his expense, but who would’ve thought that possible? He’d shown up on time this morning. Had taken all her instructions without complaining. He’d rolled with the eccentricities of Laney and her bunch, hadn’t even batted an eyelash when Laney launched into a drunken rendition of Notorious BIG’s “Hypnotize” while Mira tried to talk her wife down from climbing onto one of the tables to reenact Julia Stiles’ moves from 10 Things I Hate About You.

“I don’t think I’ve laughed this much in a good while,” Keiran admitted as he drove away from the house. “That was wild.”