“I’m sure you won’t, but it’s about damn time you settled down. I was worried you’d be fluttering around like a butterfly until you’re fifty. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but I knew deep down you wanted a relationship with substance.”

“I didn’t realize how much I needed stability in a man until now. Can’t believe it took me this long actually,” I admit.

“You were just waitin’ for the right man,” Katie says, sipping her sweet tea.

“Very true. And his sister and niece are super sweet. I honestly wished Annie lived here because you two would love her so much. She’d totally be a part of our girl gang. Also, Sadie is the cutest kid. She’s only five but way too smart for her own good.”

Katie laughs. “Most kids are. Owen is like that too. The things they can do online amazes me.”

“How is my favorite little man doing? ” I ask.

“Apparently, he really does have a girlfriend. Like what the hell? I’m too young to worry about him dating already.”

“I heard Owen say Noah knew. Was that true?” Gemma asks.

“Yes, and apparently, Noah’s been giving him pointers on how to treat girls.” She groans. “ Noah acts like he was some ladies’ man or something when it took him a decade to confess his undying love to me.”

We giggle and chat, and it’s just what I needed today. When our food arrives, Gemma changes the subject.

“How’ve you been feeling lately? Still sore and achy?”

“Mostly back to normal. I have a wicked battle wound, something I’ll have to share with my future kids. Like, don’t mess with your mom because she got stabbed and lived to tell the tale. Took a knife right to the gut.”

Gemma snorts. “Oh my God. That’s terrible, but it does make you sound like a badass.”

“’Cause I am.” I take my keychain off my purse and flick open the small key knife.

Katie grins. “Well, if the boutique doesn’t work out for you, maybe you should teach self-defense for women at the gym.”

“Nah, I’d probably make more money stripping. Apparently, I have really nice tits,” I whisper, giving Katie a wink.

“It’s the shock value for me,” Gemma says. “I honestly never know what’s going to come out of your mouth.”

“And trust me when I say I love keeping you on your toes. But anyway, enough about me. How’s the wedding planning going?”

Katie beams as she gushes. “It’s stressful but exciting all at the same time. We picked out the cake and flowers. Finally have the invitations, which means I’ll be busy sending those soon. And we also booked the Magnolia Springs Bed and Breakfast for the wedding night. My mom is over the moon excited.”