“Aw, bud, when it happens to you, you’re going to be singing another tune.” Uncle Cash laughs.

“Fuck no, I won’t. I know exactly what happens when a Mayson bites the dust, and I want no part of that kind of drama.”

My stomach knots, because my brother is not wrong. Every time one of my family members finds love, shit is not all fucking hearts and roses. It’s more like kidnappings, stalkers, fucked-up family shit, or a whole lot of other drama. Not wanting to think about what might be coming my way, I grab my plate off the table. “If you’re all good, I’ll see you tomorrow morning at the house.”

“See you then,” I hear echoed behind me as I walk across the restaurant with Mia watching.

When I reach the table, Ruby’s eyes light up as I take a seat, and then she nabs a fry off my plate. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” I grin at her, and she grins back.

“Dinner is served,” Cece announces behind me, and Ruby quickly pushes her tablet across the table so her mom can place her plate before her. I help Cece with the other plates, and once they’re all passed out, she tucks her tray under her arm. “Are you guys good?”

“I think we’re good for now,” Mia answers as I grab the ketchup from the middle of the table, squirting some on Ruby’s plate.

“I’ll be back to check on you guys after I check on my tables.” Cece pats my shoulder before walking off.

“Are you Aunt Mia’s boyfriend?” Lola asks, eyeing me as Mia takes the ketchup I hand over.

I start to open my mouth to answer, but Mia gets there before me. “He’s a friend, honey.”

“I know.” Lola rolls her eyes. “But is he also your boyfriend?”

“No.” Mia laughs.

I chuckle at the disappointed look on her face then brace when her eyes narrow on mine. “Don’t you like her?”

“Of course he likes her,” Ruby chimes in. “Everyone likes Mimi.”

“Do you?” Kate asks.

“I do,” I say, and Kate seems to believe me right away, but Lola studies me for a moment before seeming satisfied with whatever she sees.

“All right, girls, eat,” Mia orders, and the three of them dig into their meals.

I pick up my burger to do the same but notice Mia’s attention shift to something over my shoulder, and her expression become concerned. I turn and scan the room. That’s when I see a man heading toward Cece with anger clear in his features. Without knowing, I understand the man is Cece’s ex, Mike.

“No, no way,” Mia whispers as he approaches her sister, putting his finger in her face, which pales as he speaks.

I start to get up to intervene, when Kate cries, “Daddy!” She bolts from her seat and runs across the room.

“Shit.” Mia’s eyes fly to me as she stands. “Can you stay here with the girls for a minute while I go get her?” she whispers.

“I’m here.”

She nods then looks at Lola, who is still sitting, seeming torn between following her sister and staying at the table. “Stay here please, honey,” Mia begs.

“I won’t move,” she replies quietly, looking at her aunt, who then leans in, kissing her cheek before moving her gaze to Ruby. “Stay with Talon, trouble.”

I can tell she doesn’t want to, but she nods.

My hands ball into fists as Mia walks quickly across the room, and it takes everything in me to stay put as her sister’s dickwad ex shakes his head at Mia. She shakes her head back then reaches out her hand to Kate, who reluctantly takes it. As she and Kate walk back toward us, Winston steps up to Cece’s side and crosses his arms over his chest as he glares at the man trying to get in her personal space.

“Why’s Daddy here?” Lola asks quietly, and I look at her, seeing her worried expression as she watches her parents.

“He and your mom are just talking,” Mia says, ushering Kate back into her seat. I move my chair to block the girls’ view then grab Ruby’s iPad and flip it on, quickly finding something for her to watch that will distract her.

“You mind if we join you guys?” Uncle Trevor asks, setting down his plate and taking a seat, then Uncle Cash follows suit. I expect my brother and Uncle Asher to join us but turn and catch a glimpse of them walking out of the restaurant, with Cece, Mike, and Winston walking ahead of them.

I turn back to the table and make introductions then focus on Mia, who’s watching the door while my uncles—who’ve had kids and now have grandkids—distract the girls like pros. When Mia’s gaze comes to me, I reach my hand across the table, and without delay, she hooks her index finger with mine. I want to ask if she’s okay, if she knows what’s going on, but with the girls so close, I don’t. Instead, I try to act like everything is okay, and after a couple minutes, she does the same.

Neither of us touches our food, and since I’m sitting at an angle, I can’t see the door, but I know the minute her sister and everyone comes back in, because Mia’s muscles tense and her eyes fill with anxiousness. I look over my shoulder and watch Uncle Asher and Bax with Mike leading the way, coming toward us. Cece and Winston are nowhere in sight. When the three men reach the table, Ruby and Kate get up to greet their dad, but Lola doesn’t move until Mia whispers something in her ear that has her nodding.

“I didn’t know you guys would be here tonight,” Mike says, looking at Mia with regret in his eyes, and then he kisses the top of Kate’s head. “You girls finish dinner with Aunt Mia and her friends. I love you, and I’ll see you tomorrow.” Without protest, the girls find their seats at the table, and then without another word, Mike turns and disappears.

“Eat, sweet girls,” Mia urges her nieces softly, and Kate ducks her head while Lola rubs her lips together. The two of them might not know what happened, but they’re obviously old enough to come up with their own ideas.

“How about this?” I start, and the two of them shift their attention to me. I feel Ruby, who had been distracted by her iPad, do the same. “If you girls scarf down your burgers, I’ll convince your aunt to take you to get frozen yogurt.”

“Yay! Ice cream!” Ruby shouts, and her sisters both smile at her before they begin to eat.

“Really?” Mia asks, raising a brow. “I hope you don’t have plans after dinner, because I’ll need your help. Three kids and FroYo is a process.”

“I’ll be there to help,” I assure her.

“You look like you’ve got this handled,” Uncle Cash states, gaining my attention. I meet his gaze as he stands, not really understanding the look in his eyes. All I know is it makes my chest feel warm. “See you at the house tomorrow.”

“See you then.” I touch my fist to his then feel a hand on my shoulder and tip my head back to peer at Uncle Asher. He doesn’t say a word, but the look he gives me only makes that warm feeling in my chest expand. Then it grows warmer still when I lift my chin to Uncle Trevor and Bax before they walk away. Fuck, I have good men in my life.

“Done!” Ruby shouts around a mouthful right before she starts to cough. I laugh while I pat her back then hand over her drink. Once she chews and swallows, she grins at me. “Thanks.”