Evie shooed her away. “Go on and take it. I’ll hit your tables for any refills. You’re caught up on your deliveries. As soon as I take my two out, I’ll be caught up and I’ll take any newcomers that walk in.”
Lauren flashed a grin. “Thanks, Evie. You’re the best.”
Clark gave them both indulgent smiles. “You two are the best waitresses I’ve ever had. Can’t begrudge you a break. You’ve earned it. We’ve been busting ass since opening time this morning.”
“Typical Monday,” Evie said with a shrug.
Lauren turned and hurried back to where Lily and Callie sat. She snagged a chair from a nearby empty table and parked it at the end of the two-person booth.
“So what are you two up to today? Just doing lunch? And where is Mama C?”
“She’s baby shopping. In Denver,” Callie added. “Which means the dads went with her because they still won’t let her drive pretty much anywhere by herself. She’s decided she needs to outfit an entire nursery at her house for when the baby stays over.”
Lauren chuckled. “I can only imagine.”
Lily smiled. “She’s been so wonderful to me. She’s already explained that she’s coming to stay with me for the entire week after the baby is born and that I won’t have to lift a single finger. She’s barked orders at the men. Dillon is on cooking duty. Michael and Seth are sharing diaper changing and bottle-feeding when I need a break from breast-feeding.”
Lily grew misty eyed. “I don’t know what I’d do without her. Or the entire Colter family. Even the dads have volunteered to come over so Seth, Dillon and Michael can get some rest. I can’t even explain how much just knowing that they’ll be right there, for however we need them, means to me. It’s like a huge weight off my shoulders.”
Callie reached over to squeeze her hand. “And you forget me and Max. We’ll be right here whenever you need us.”
“And me,” Lauren piped up.
Lily smiled. “Yes of course. You’ll be right here in the middle of all of us. It’s a pretty wonderful place to be, you know.”
Callie turned a purposeful stare in Lauren’s direction. “Okay, so, I’ll fully admit, Lily and I came here with a purpose, and we also waited until Noah and Liam left before we came in because we wanted to corner you and interrogate you mercilessly.”
“Uh-oh,” Lauren muttered.”
Lily laughed. “You have to tell us what’s going on with those two. And don’t give us the cock-and-bull story about how they’re just protecting you until things are resolved with Joel. Because the way they look at you? Makes me shiver. There’s definitely more to this story than you’re letting on.”
Lauren blushed, her face warming under their scrutiny.
“I knew it!” Callie crowed. “Look at her face! Totally busted.”
Lauren sighed. “Okay, okay. Yes, there’s something more than just a professional relationship.”
“Which one?” Lily said, pouncing on the subject. “My money is on Liam. He’s so dark and broody and delicious. And those tattoos. Yum. He totally reminds me of Dillon.”
Callie shook her head. “I’m betting Noah. His gaze never leaves her. He’s constantly watching her. Always looking for any kind of threat to her. But when he looks directly at her, I swear that man’s eyes just smolder. If you could bottle that look? We could make millions. He is sex in a can, I’m telling you.”
Lauren burst out laughing. “Oh my God, you two are killing me!”
“So which is it?” Lily demanded.
“Uhm, well . . . both,” she said, dropping her voice so there was no chance of being overheard.
“What?” Callie squeaked. “Oh my God, you lucky bitch.”
Lily’s eyes widened. “Really?
Lauren nodded.
“Wow,” Callie breathed. “I swear I’m the only one who took on one man.”
“Yeah, well, can you imagine two of Max?” Lily pointed out.
Callie rolled her eyes. “No kidding. I’d never survive. Max is like having three men. Still, there are times when I look at you and I look at mom and I think, wow, that must be so awesome to have three men who absolutely worship and adore you. And now you, Lauren. You have two drop-dead gorgeous, stacked guys who want to spend every waking moment cherishing and protecting you? Jealousy is going to eat me alive.”
Lauren blushed again. “We’re still working through some stuff. I mean this is completely brand new to all three of us. None of us have experience in this and we’re having to feel our way around.”
“None of us had experience with it either,” Lily said in a serious tone. “I know it sounds crazy because of the way Seth, Michael and Dillon grew up, but they never considered for a moment that they’d have the same kind of relationship their parents had. So when they met me, they had things they had to work out and we definitely had to be careful in the beginning. We’re still working at it.”
“Is it hard and stressful?” Lauren asked.
Lily smiled. “At times it can be, but the good times far outweigh the bad, and I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to have the love and devotion of three of the most terrific men I’ve ever met. I feel like I’m the luckiest woman in the world.”
“I feel that way too,” Lauren said quietly. “It scares me to death and yet it’s thrilling all at the same time. I don’t want to mess this up and for it not to work out.”
Callie and Lily both reached for her hands.
“You’ll do just fine,” Callie said, her expression fierce. “They’re lucky to have you.”
Lauren grinned. “That’s what I love most about you guys. Even when I’m wrong, you still take my side.”
Callie sniffed. “Colters are never wrong. Just ask my mother.”
They all laughed. Evie brought out Lily’s and Callie’s plates, and the two women began eating.
After a moment, Lauren reluctantly rose, knowing she needed to get back to her tables so Evie wasn’t stuck covering the whole diner.
“I’ll see you two later, okay?”
Callie and Lily both waved a fork at her, and Lauren headed back to her section of tables.
Chapter 17
LAUREN knew something was wrong the moment Liam and Noah entered the diner at the end of her shift. She met them just a few feet inside the doorway, anxious as she surveyed their expressions.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
Liam touched her elbow. “Are you finished?”