“I guess I’ll have to go back to the pet store then,” she said with a grin.

I eyed the massive pile of strawberries behind her. “What are you making?”

“I got a steal on these strawberries at the farm stand. I’m thinking strawberry shortcake for dessert.”

“Do you think you could double that recipe?”

Caelyn set the knife down on the cutting board. “Sure, why?”

I twirled my cell phone between my fingers. “Bell, Ford, Kenna, Crosby, and Hunter are coming for dinner.”

Her eyes widened. “They are? We don’t have enough food. And you don’t like people in your house.”

I winced. I’d felt like crap ever since I snapped at Caelyn about that fact. But she was showing me time and again that opening up my home and my life didn’t mean that I was putting myself at risk. There were good people on this island, and Caelyn and her friends were some of them. “I want you to feel comfortable here. And I know you used to host those family dinner nights.”

Caelyn’s expression softened. “Griffin, you don’t have to make yourself uncomfortable for us. You’ve already done so much.”

I moved in closer, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I want to. I want you and the kids to have this. And I want to get to know your friends better.”

She reached up on her tiptoes and pressed her lips to my stubbled cheek. “Thank you. You might like them, you know.”

“If I don’t, I’ll just sic Luci on them.”

“That cat does know how to use her claws.”

I groaned. Wasn’t that the truth? The couch in my office would never be the same. “We need to figure out how to clip them.”

Caelyn held up both hands, backing away. “You’re on your own for that one, buddy. I like my eyes where they are.”

It was only a little kitten. She couldn’t be that bad. Then I looked down at my forearms that were already covered in red scratches from our trip to the vet. “Maybe I’ll just get her a scratching post instead.”

“Sounds like a much better plan to me.” Caelyn moved to the fridge, surveying its contents. “I think I’m going to have to go to the store if we’re doubling our dinner guests.”

“We made it a potluck. We’re in charge of dessert, and they’re covering everything else.”

She closed the fridge. “Let me guess, Bell is doing sides, Crosby signed up for meat of some sort, and Hunter offered to bring the booze as soon as you said the word potluck.”

“You certainly know your friends.”

“We’ve been friends practically since birth. Well, everyone except Crosby.”