As Adam doled out each article of clothing—stopping to take a good long look at the bra and lacy thong—all he could think about was how soon he could help her take them off again.

“I can’t eat another bite,” Mac announced as he pushed back from a table full of lobster shells. “Even if I beg, don’t let me have any more.”

“Right there with you,” Blaine said. “Uncle.”

Ned chortled with delight at their pleasure in the meal he’d planned down to the last potato. They’d fed the kids earlier, and now Thomas and Ashleigh were watching their latest favorite movie, The Little Mermaid.

Baby Hailey was snoozing in her mama’s arms. Maddie had quit eating long before her husband finished.

“It was a wonderful treat, Ned,” Tiffany said. “Thank you.”

The others chimed in with their thanks as Francine handed out wet wipes.

Mac and Blaine each took a side of the table and rolled up the newspapers they’d put down on the table, scooping up the discarded lobster shells.

“You can take that right out to the can in the driveway,” Francine said, holding the screen door for them.

When she came back to the table carrying a plate of brownies, Ned caught her eye and nodded, encouraging her to get on with the reason for the dinner party. He opened new beers for himself, Mac and Blaine and refilled the ladies’ wineglasses.

Mac and Blaine came back in and took turns washing their hands at the kitchen sink before returning to the table. Groaning, Mac dropped into his chair. “That was some kinda good.”

“Glad ya enjoyed it,” Ned said, delighted to be presiding over a family dinner in the home where he’d lived alone for decades. He loved everything about being part of his new family—the kids running around and making a racket, the playful bickering between Maddie and Tiffany, the razzing he and Francine withstood any time the kids caught them kissing or hugging each other. He’d never been happier in his life, and he wanted nothing more for those he loved than to see them happy, too.

Under the table, Ned patted Francine’s knee, hoping to prop her up for the conversation she needed to have with her girls.

Glancing at him once more, Francine said, “There was another reason we wanted to have you over tonight—other than the lobster.”

“The brownies?” Tiffany took one of the chocolate treats, broke one in half and fed part of it to Blaine, who watched her every move like a man who was madly in love.

Those two kids were crazy about each other, and it warmed Ned’s heart to see Tiffany so happy after all she’d been through with her ex-husband.

“I received the divorce papers from your father.”

“Finally,” Maddie said.

“No kidding,” Mac added. “About time.”