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around while still in Trae’s embrace. “We’re coming to eat and nothing else, okay?” she turned once again toward her friends and said, “Okay, ladies.” After a couple of nods, Reggie gave Travis the thumps up.
    Satisfied that he got what he came for, Travis leaned over and kissed Trish and Shelly on the cheek before he back ed away. “I’ll see you all at Momma’s.” He didn’t turn before locking gazes with Autumn. She didn’t look away, not until he turned and headed back up the small hill.
    Autumn watched Travis’s broad shoulders and narrow waist move beneath powerhouse legs. The scent of his cologne still hung in her nostrils. She had to pace her breathing. The warning lights went off in her head yet again. She failed and couldn’t seem to resist him; Autumn inwardly scolded herself for letting her guard down. She planned to be better prepared next time. She could refuse to go with her friends, but that is why she was there in the first place, to fellowship with them. She knew she had to face Travis. She didn’t think she would have to do it on a continuously social basis.
    The hell with it, I’m in this city for a couple more weeks and then I’m headed back to New York. I can do this .
    She decided she could tolerate Travis for the short time without committing to anything except the reception.
    * * * *
    By the time Reggie and her crew pulled up to the Brooks’ house, their mouths watered from the aroma of shellfish coming from the gazebo area.
    “Oh , honey, something smells absolutely delicious,” Mona said, climbing from the back of Reggie’s car.
    “It does smell great ,” Autumn admitted. She hadn’t been to a seafood boil in a very long time. She was actually looking forward to it. Once she made up her mind that she planned to deal with Travis on her own terms, she was able to settle down and begin to enjoy her friends.
    Diane greeted the girls at the door. “Hi , babies. Come on in. The guys are out back. For now you can come in here and drink some of these tasty frozen treats I whipped up for you.”
    They all gathered in the kitchen while Diane pour ed icy mixed drinks into huge goblets. “So tell me, what are you ladies up to tonight?” Diane placed a frosty glass into Reggie’s hand. Reggie leaned down and placed a kiss on her future mother-in-law’s cheek. “Thanks, Ma’Dear.” She rewarded Diane for the cocktail. Reggie took a sip before she answered Diane’s question. “Hmm, this is delicious. Well, we got massages already. So now we plan to go back to my place and have hand and foot massages. You remember Jena. She and two other technicians are coming over later tonight.
    “That sounds wonderful!” Diane handed the virgin versions of the drinks to Shelly and Trish. “Here you go , ladies.”
    “Thanks, Mom!” Trish perked up when she thought that she and Shelly would be relegated to drinking ginger ale or some other soft drink.
    “Thanks.” Shelly added.
    “Well there’s more where these came from in the blender over there. Drink all you want. And someone needs to be the designated driver, just in case. And oh, Trish and Shelly’s drinks are in this blender. No alcohol for either of you.” She looked directly at the girls.
    “Thanks.” All the ladies chimed in together.
    “You’re welcome. Now this old lady will get out of your way so you can enjoy yourselves. I’ll be upstairs if you need anything.”
    “Thanks again.” Reggie hugged her.
    “Good night.”
    “Good night ,” they all sang in unison.
    “I think I’m going to go check on the boil.” Autumn stood and headed for the door. She’d decided in her head that she was going to deal with Travis. Once he knew she wasn’t interested in his advances, she would demand that they work through thi ngs until the wedding was over. She decided to act on her plan. Confront him head on. Armed with an icy drink, she left the house and followed the path down to the gazebo.
    Travis had exchanged his