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interjected, “we need to decide whether to invite you-know-who this time.”
    An uncomfortable silence fell over the table as the brothers exchanged glances. Everyone knew Maddox was referring to their aunt Celeste, who’d ditched her family to run off with her rich lover twenty-five years ago. Her betrayal not only devastated her husband and children; it drove a wedge between her and the rest of the family. Mama Wolf, fiercely protective of her grandsons and great-grandsons, had yet to forgive Celeste for what she’d done to Uncle Sterling, Michael and Marcus. And while Manning’s mother had remained friends with Celeste, his father could barely stand to be in the same room with her.
    “She lives in Minnesota,” Magnum pointed out. “She’s hardly been to any family events over the years. Why should this one be any different?”
    “Because things have changed,” Montana responded. “Marcus has forgiven her. And if he can forgive her after all this time, the least we can do is invite her to the anniversary party.”
    Magnum frowned. “I don’t know. Pops won’t appreciate having her there.”
    “No, he won’t,” Manning grimly agreed. “But he’ll put his feelings aside to keep the peace. We all saw how happy Aunt Celeste was to be invited to Marcus and Samara’s wedding. If Marcus is ready to welcome his mother back into the fold, we have to be willing to do the same.”
    There were low rumblings as Magnum, Maddox and Mason grudgingly conceded that their older brothers were right.
    “If we invite Aunt Celeste,” Magnum asserted, “that means we have to invite Samara’s mother too.”
    “I’m good with that.” Montana grinned wickedly. “Asha’s fine as hell.”
    “No doubt,” Manning agreed, chuckling. “But Uncle Sterling can’t stand her. It’s a miracle they didn’t kill each other at the wedding.”
    “Well,” Montana drawled, “you know what they say about the thin line between love and hate.”
    Magnum snorted. “As if Uncle Sterl would ever be crazy enough to hook up with a bougie ass broad like Asha Dubois.”
    The five brothers looked at one another, then burst out laughing at the absurdity of such a notion.
    “Sorry to interrupt, fellas,” an amused voice cut through the raucous laughter.
    Everyone glanced toward the doorway to see their cousin, Michael, standing there with a pleased grin on his face.
    “We have a special guest in the house,” he announced.
    As a woman slowly emerged from behind him, Manning froze.
    It was Taylor.
    She looked hot as hell in a strapless white dress that molded her curvaceous body. The slinky little number was worn with sexy red heels that accentuated her beautiful, shapely legs.
    When her eyes met Manning’s, his lungs stopped working.
    As he got slowly to his feet, Taylor averted her gaze and smiled warmly at the other occupants of the room. “Hello, everyone.”
    Manning watched as his brothers’ jaws dropped, their eyes widening with incredulous recognition.
    Montana was the first to regain the power of speech. “ Taylor? ”
    She nodded and smiled.
    As she advanced into the room, Montana, Magnum, Maddox and Mason rose from the table and rushed her. Really, there was no other word to describe the way they descended upon her, making her laugh as they took turns hugging her before bombarding her with questions.
    How have you been? What brings you to Atlanta? How long are you staying? Where are you staying?
    Manning deliberately hung back, watching the boisterous reunion as Michael wandered over and stood beside him.
    “Did you know she was coming to town?” he asked quietly.
    “No.” Manning swallowed hard. “I ran into her this morning. Shocked the hell out of me.”
    Michael chuckled. “I’ll bet.”
    The two men watched as Taylor laughed and chatted with the others.
    “She looks amazing,” Michael marveled.
    Manning nodded slowly. “She does.”
    Observing Taylor with his brothers, he had a flashback to the first time