“All right, then. I’m going to ask Samantha to dance.”

“And I’m going to get more cake.”

“You do that. But just don’t let your mom and dad know it’s your third piece.”

Bringing her finger to her lips, she shushed me. “They’ll never know unless you tell them.”

I raised my hand. “Scout’s honor.”

She giggled as she ran off in the direction of the food table. With more confidence in my step than I felt, I made my way over to Samantha. She and Mama Beth were chatting like old friends, which was really nice to see.

As I stood in front of her, I cleared my throat. “You wanna dance?”

“Sure.” She climbed off the bench and turned to Mama Beth. “Don’t go anywhere, because I want to hear more embarrassing stories about Bishop when he was little.”

With a groan, I swept my hand across my face. “Seriously, Mama? That’s what you two were over here talking about?”

“I thought you liked having beautiful women talking about you,” Samantha countered with a smile.

“Not when it includes stories that make me look bad.”

“But they were sweet stories . . . and funny ones. Like the time you sat on Santa Claus’s lap and asked for a wiener as big as your dad’s.”

I rolled my eyes. “Seriously, Mama. You’ve known Samantha barely an hour, and you break out the wiener story?”

Mama Beth grinned at me. “But you were so cute and so serious about it. If only we’d had a video camera then, I would have sent it to America’s Funniest Home Videos.”

“Okay, that’s enough. You two are not allowed to talk to each other ever again.”

Mama Beth and Samantha only laughed at me. “Isn’t he cute when he’s mad?” Mama Beth asked with a grin.

“He’s adorable,” Samantha teased.

“No matter how old you get, you’ll always be my baby,” Mama Beth said as she cupped my cheek.

As Samantha said, “Aw,” I threw up my hands. “That’s it. Let’s go dance. Now.”

Sam grinned. “Now you’re a caveman barking out commands, huh?”

Taking her by the hand, I led her over to where the other couples were. When I found a good place for us that wasn’t too close to the band or too crowded, I let her hand go. I then slid my hands around her waist and drew her close to me. Samantha wrapped her arms around my neck. At the feel of her curves against me, I couldn’t help the shiver of desire that ran through me.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

“Just a little chill. I’m fine,” I muttered.

We swayed in awkward silence. “So, I have a question.”

“Shoot.”

Fighting a smile, Samantha asked, “Did Santa finally bring you a wiener as big as your dad’s?”

I threw my head back with a laugh. “Yeah, he did. I could argue it was the best present he ever got me.”

With a giggle, Samantha said, “You’re terrible.”

“You’re the one who brought it up.”

“After that story, how could I not?”

I scowled at her. “Did she tell you anything else embarrassing, like how I used to strip down and run naked through the streets?”

“Nope. But I’m glad that you did,” she mused.

“For the record, I stopped that shit when I was five. It’s not like I’m still doing it.”

Sam waggled her eyebrows at me. “That certainly would be interesting.”

“I don’t think Mama Beth would find it as cute and funny if I did it now.”

“I wouldn’t think so.”

“It’s safe to say I’d probably scar Willow for life if I did something like that.”

Sam laughed. “I imagine so.” Tilting her head back, she stared up at me. “Speaking of Willow, I think she wants everyone to think I’m your girlfriend.”

With a grimace, I replied, “Yeah. Sorry about that.”

“You don’t need to be sorry. She’s just looking out for you and wanting you to be happy.”

I chuckled. “She’s a mess.”

“You’re so good with her.”

“She’s pretty easy now. I don’t like to think about when she gets to be a teenager.”

Samantha laughed. “I’ll admit teenage girls are pretty scary with all the hormones. I know I gave my mom fits.”

“With the hormones come the boys, and I’ll have to beat the hell out of any guy who hurts her . . . or puts the moves on her.”

“Poor girl. Between her uncles and her father, she’ll maybe get to date when she’s thirty.”

I grinned. “Damn straight.” Cocking my head at her, I said, “As beautiful and sexy as you are, I bet you had half the men in your family keeping tabs on you and guys.”

She laughed. “Yeah, I did. They would have been protective anyway, but when you throw in the fact that my dad had died, they were extremely protective.”

“So you didn’t get to raise too much hell as a teenager?”

“Not really. But the truth is, I really didn’t want to get into too much trouble.” At what must have been my surprised expression, Samantha grinned. “Sorry to disappoint you. I guess it’s safe to say I’m not exactly a rebel.”

I shook my head. “Oh no. I disagree on that one. You’re interesting. Mysterious . . .”

“And exotic. Remember you called me exotic the first time you met me?”