Free Her Unexpected Affair (The Robinsons) by Shea Mcmaster Page A

waist and lift her up for a tight hug. She smelled of Chanel and barbeque sauce and something else elusive and comforting. Like a mother should smell.
    At her squeak, he set her down again. “I’m starved. What’s for dinner?”
    “Your arse if you don’t unhand my wife.” Drew looked to his father and caught the laugh that belied the rebuke.
    “She’s my mother now. I get to hug her whenever I want, or beg for kisses whenever my boo-boos need to be kissed all better.”
    “Get your own girlfriend,” his father said easily and pulled Randi back against his chest. “This one’s mine.”
    “Men.” Randi huffed, then laughed. “The chicken is nearly ready to go on the grill. Dump your packs, and then you and Birdie can set the table out back.”
    “Mum, you’re a mind reader.” Drew contented himself with a small whoop and a kiss on her cheek.
    “No, I just know you. You’re a man of simple wants. Only the best, but simple. Barbeque and sunshine. Toss in a beer or two. You, I have figured out.” She shooed him away.
    Did he mind that she considered him simple? Nah, not really. After all, she was mostly right. And she had anticipated his hunger for chicken on the grill. Well, any kind of meat on the grill, really. Ribs, steak, crab legs, chicken, didn’t matter much. Football and barbeque were two of Drew’s favorite things in America. Sunshine and swimming pools figured high on the list as well. Girls in bikinis didn’t hurt, either. Girls in general never hurt.
    As he undressed and glanced at the clock, he wondered what time Meilin’s engagement party started. Remembering her looking back at him from the window of her cab, he couldn’t help but wonder… Would she go through with it? She hadn’t been wearing a ring yet. Would she accept it tonight? Or some other engagement gift? Thinking about what might be happening at any moment over in the City gave him only frustration. Not a damn thing he could do about it. Had he met her a couple of months ago… Would it have made a difference? Chances were their paths probably would never cross again. In a city the size of San Francisco, their meeting had been purely a fluke, despite Jack’s family ties to her. Jack had little time for family as far as Drew knew. They’d shared a room Autumn quarter at Stanford. In between classes and small parties with the other law students, Jack had spent most of his time hitting the books just as Drew had.
    And while Drew had moved into the two bedroom apartment with his sister, Jack had still been around more than anyone else. As friendly as Jack was, Drew suspected his overly polished, slightly smarmy personality kept many people away as it appeared Jack had few, if any, close friends. A cover to hide a soft heart? Sentiment and Jack didn’t seem to be compatible words, but hey, what guys let their deepest feelings hang out on their sleeves? When it came to relatives other than his siblings, Drew had no clue what Jack thought. Meilin was evidence that suggested he had an extended family in the area. How often did they meet? Would Meilin and her future husband attend local family events?
    What a wanker. What right did he have to get wound up about a woman he’d met at a night club? He pulled up the baggy swim togs and tossed his clothes to the corner to be sorted later. Right now all his brain could handle was a short swim, a long soak in the outdoor spa, and a big dinner. Not necessarily in that order. Food first. Drink and swim second.
    Randi had a pile of plates and silverware on the island when he entered the kitchen with a pool towel slung around his neck. “Birdie’s taken out the placemats and napkins. Can you get this bunch?”
    “Sure. Where’s the old man?”
    Randi’s laughing eyes looked up at him from where she tossed a green salad in a large bowl. “He’s manning the grill.”
    “I hope there’s a backup plan when he burns the chicken.”
    “He’s learning. He’s been practicing.”
    “In