The Baby Claim

The room was packed with wary women, gathered at the edict of Jeannie and Jack.

Glenna’s sister-in-law, Shana shot to her feet. “We’re going to play a party game. I reached out to Naomi and we’ve come up with some icebreakers to help us all—” she gestured weakly “—get over the newness of this.”

Well now, wasn’t that diplomatic? Kudos to Shana.

Jeannie waved from a log-style rocking chair. “Please, not one of those wedding shower games where we all end up wearing silly hats covered with bows.”

Glenna’s baby sister winced. “Or please say we don’t have to tell lies and truths and guess. I never win those because people can always tell when I’m lying.”

Edgy, Naomi stood, wearing brown leather leggings with a thick Sherpa vest. “We’re going to play the dating game.”

Alayna frowned, peering around the room at each woman. “But she’s already engaged, and she’s already married, and I suspect that she—”

“No,” Naomi stated, “this is a different sort of dating game. I’ve been consulting with a company that helps people write their bios for online dating sites—”

Her sister chuckled. “You’ve done what?”

“You heard me, Delaney. Guys in particular have a tough time expressing themselves with words, so they ask for help. It’s like marketing or editing. I have some samples and we’re going to figure out who’s for real and who’s a poser.”

Shana gathered her thick caramel-colored mane and tossed it over her shoulders. “Like the kind of guy who hangs out in a bar and claims to be an astronaut.”

“Great example.” Naomi walked to a corner table with the laptop computer connected to three wide screen televisions. “The names have been changed to protect the guys. Now are we ready to play the game?”

A dating game? Glenna would rather do the polar bear plunge, jumping naked into icy water. But she said, “Let’s get started.” So they would be done all the sooner and she could go home, away from this awkward gathering and the tempting view of Broderick as his horse galloped along the fence line.

Shana clapped her hands. “Good. Here are the rules. One point for every warning sign, five points if you can catch an outright lie.”

Delaney’s expression said she was clearly not sold yet. Glenna wasn’t, either; her eyes kept returning to the window, to the wild scenery and the precision with which Broderick moved with his horse.

“I was thinking for each correct guess, pick your poison for someone or yourself—a champagne Jell-O shot or a chocolate truffle?” Shana suggested.

Forcing herself back into the present moment, Glenna decided to be helpful. “Where are the truffles and alcohol?”

Naomi and Shana each swept a silver cover off a platter just as the wide screen televisions hummed to life. Each TV went to split screen, with multiple profiles.

“Oh, oh!” Her cousin Sage’s hand shot into the air. “Well, this is easy enough. I see five guys with creepster in their profile name. Like ‘Legman.’ Four guys reference their penis length.”

“Eww.” Alayna shook her head. “And there are two with ‘hard’ in their name.” Both she and Sage rushed to the minibar and popped an assortment of champagne Jell-O shots and truffles into their mouths. They savored them with closed eyes, yums and mmms.

Glenna crossed her arms tightly over her chest. “Do guys really think we go for that level of slime?” She pointed to another screen. “The guys on the left side appear real.”

Yes, for the moment, she would play this game and drink a little champagne, then she’d be on her way.

Her eyes went to Broderick again. She wasn’t in any condition to be in the same room with him once the men came back inside. She’d spent so much time with him this week, she couldn’t handle being in this house with him surrounded by family. It was too close to the cozy mistletoe image he’d painted for her back in his office.

Naomi nodded. “Well done, future stepsister. Help yourself to the treats.”

Stepsister? Glenna made a beeline for the champagne shots. Another mark on the why-anything-with-Broderick would be infinitely complicated. The sweet, slippery shot with a kick sent a delicious tingle along her senses. Yes. Just what she needed. This would be her treat of choice for the duration of the game.

Especially if she expected to get through an evening with Broderick and keep her sanity.

“I’m sure there are good ones out there, too. Honest ones.” Glenna considered another shot, just for the hell of it.

“We could do a percentage chart of how many there are, and I’m guessing it will all average out. The point here is to be wise, ladies. Be wise.”

Naomi snorted. “Or stay single.”

Shana laughed. “Cynic.”

“Realist.” Naomi waved to the minibar. “Please help yourself to the food before the men return.”

“What?” Alayna stood, swaying a little, clearly a drinking lightweight. “That’s it?”

“Would you have preferred a male stripper?” Naomi’s laugh was hoarse and deep. Genuine. Glenna liked her honesty.

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