Ari’s eyes lit up. “That’s right! Reed brought you along and you couldn’t have been but maybe seventeen or so.”
With a light-hearted laugh, Jase agreed. “Sounds about right.”
“What a small world,” Heather said.
Grinning, I pointed and said, “This is Heather and Josh.”
Jase shook Josh’s hand. “Josh Hayes?”
With a surprised look, Josh nodded his head. “Yes.”
“I’ve heard a lot about your wood working. I actually saw a desk and custom cabinets you made for one of my friend’s father. He’s a lawyer in Llano.”
With a stunned expression, Josh said, “Yes! Rob Price . . . I believe that was his name. Man, that was a long time ago.”
“I can’t believe how connected we have been all these years yet not connected,” I said.
Jase chuckled. “I know.”
Spinning around, I smiled. “You already know Scott and Jessie. Now it’s time for the real test. The best friends.”
Everyone laughed as Jase made a frightened face.
With our arms laced together, we made our way around as I introduced Jase to everyone he hadn’t met yet. We’d had dinner at Meagan and Grayson’s place twice already. My heart melted with how Jase took to Arabella and Charlotte the way he did. The entire time we were there I went back and forth in my mind about if I would be pleased or disappointed if I turned out being pregnant. In the end, I knew it would be best if I weren’t. Jase and I needed to spend time together. I still hadn’t had my period and made an appointment for Monday. Jase hadn’t asked and I wasn’t ready to talk about it so we both simply ignored it.
“Libby, Luke, I’d like you to meet Jase. Libby is Will’s sister and Heather and Josh are their parents. Luke’s sister is Grace, who is married to Noah. Jeff and Ari are their parents. And this is little Trey and the sweet little girl running around us is Mireya.”
Luke shook Jase’s hand as he held Trey while Mireya sang a song she clearly had just learned.
“Wow! I sure hope there isn’t a quiz after this,” Jase said with a chuckle.
Luke slapped him on the back and said, “If you remember half this shit and you decide to stay with Taylor after today, I’ll be very impressed.”
“Stop that!” Libby said as she playfully hit Luke. “Welcome to the family, Jase. It makes me so happy to see Taylor in love.”
I felt my face heat up as I guided Jase on to the next group. “This is Alex and Will.”
Jase pointed to Will. “Libby’s brother. Parents are Josh and Heather.”
Will raised his eyebrows. “Impressive.”
Alex reached her hand out for Jase’s. “It’s so nice to finally formally meet you, Jase. I’ve heard so much about you. Oh . . . I belong to Gunner and Ellie.”
Jase tilted his head. “You have a daughter if I remember right from Taylor. Bayli?”
All three of us turned to look at Jase while Will replied, “Dude, you’ve impressed me. I sure as hell hope you like football and beer.”
“Very much so,” Jase answered.
Turning to me, Will kissed me on the cheek. “I like him.”
With a chortle, I pushed Will away. “One more and you’ve met them all.”
Jase wiped his forehead. “This is Grace and Noah.”
Noah and Jase shook hands as Jase smiled and said hello to Hope. “And who is this beautiful princess?”
“Oh, yes. I do indeed like you. Good looking, goes right for the kid and starts giving her attention.” Grace turned to me. “I hope he’s good in bed because this one is a keeper.”