An hour later, guests began to arrive. In the backyard, under the shade of the birch tree, Naomi talked to Shivanna's girlfriend, Louisa, about her law internship and a foodie road trip she and Shivanna had planned for next week. Her excitement mirrored Shivanna's from earlier this week. Naomi was thrilled for them.

Someone grabbed Naomi's shoulders and whispered, "boo," in her ear, which had to be Ian. He'd swept his dark curly hair to one side in that intentionally messy way that appeared styled. His forest green fitted henley t-shirt emphasized his softball-toned arms. Even though she didn't experience physical attraction, she sensed he'd impress a few people.

Nimkii stood alongside Marc, who held a shopping bag decorated with hummingbirds Naomi would bet was Nimkii's.

"Everyone, this is Louisa, Shivanna's girlfriend," Naomi said. The petite woman with curly black hair smiled and waved at them. "Louisa, this is Ian, Nimkii, and Marc. Shivanna and I have known him for ages. He's a high school social studies teacher."

Louisa's face lit up. "You and Vanna attended university together and volunteered at the immigrant and refugee center, right?"

"That seems like a lifetime ago, but that's me, great to meet you."

Louisa grinned and readjusted her jean jacket. "It's a pleasure to meet you all. You didn't see my overworking girlfriend on the way in, did you?"

"She's still in the kitchen," Marc said.

"I'll try to drag her away and hopefully be back soon with Vanna." Louisa took off.

Ian had his hands in his khaki shorts' pockets and rocked back and forth on his toes. "Is the secret boyfriend here yet?"

"He's only a secret from Greg, so he doesn't make my life miserable. Kieran's near the garden with Brinny."

Marc looked at Kieran, who'd kept it casual in dark shorts with a tropical shirt over a t-shirt. It hid his tattoo, but he wore his eyebrow ring, which she liked. "He looks familiar."

"You met him at the party. He fixed your power," Naomi said.

Ian's jaw dropped, and he grinned wider than she had ever seen. "That is the best revenge possible against your douchebag ex."

She crossed her arms, not wanting people to assume she based her decisions on vengeful fantasies. "I didn't plan it. Kieran was there for me when I needed support, and the more time we spent together, the stronger our connection got."

Nimkii smiled. Her long, beautifully braided hair fell over her left shoulder, allowing the warm fire colours of her beaded earrings to stand out. She wrapped an arm around Marc and leaned into his chest in that adorably happy couple way.

"Connection is very important. It's great you found that," she said.

Naomi led them to the food table on the patio, where Nimkii and Marc set a container of homemade bannock and a bowl of Saskatoon jam they'd made with her grandmother this summer. The thick bread looked delicious. Ian had brought a delectable dessert collection of chocolate rugelach and a flourless chocolate cake.

"This is amazing. Thank you." Naomi hugged them all and sneaked a rugelach off the plate. Those chocolate croissants-like pastries were to die for.

"Your mom's outdone herself."

"I baked those."

Naomi tried not to drop her jaw as she'd already taken another bite. "Since when do you bake?"

He shrugged. "She supervised, but it seems you've forgotten I excel at just about everything." His cheeky grin made her want to roll her eyes.

"Yeah, yeah, and the rest of us are mere peasants. You ready to meet, Kieran?" She glanced at the trio, who nodded. "And be nice, Ian. I really like him."

Ian smiled and patted her on the shoulder. "Anything for you, Nomi."

Her eyes met Kieran's from across the yard. As he beamed at her, she fought her desire to run over for another incredible kiss.

As they reached him and Brinny, Naomi slung an arm around his back to pull him into a side embrace. It was odd how much she could miss someone after only being apart for twenty minutes. Marc watched them with a smile while Brinny caught Ian's interest.

Despite Naomi suggesting casual attire, Brinny had chosen a flowery boho dress with a flattering v-neck. The dress was long and flowing, while her tanned legs and wedge heels peeked out of the shorter front section. It was like she was heading for a beach runway while Naomi tucked a loose-fitting button-up blouse into a pair of jean shorts. She thought it had a cute feminine tomboy look, but probably seemed boring.

After the introductions, Kieran rubbed Naomi's back as he looked at the others. "It's nice to have faces to put with your names. Although, I remember Marc. Is that power still giving you trouble?"

"Yes, but the homeowner doesn't plan to fix it."

"Cheap bastard," Ian muttered to all of their amusement.

"My lease is up in October, so..." He and Nimkii shared a smile. "I haven't fully decided, but there might be a change on the horizon." He turned to Naomi and Ian. "And we'll keep that under the growing cone of silence from Greg."

"Was he always such an asshole?" Ian asked.

"No," Naomi and Marc answered together, though neither rushed to defend him. Kieran tensed beside her, and she leaned further into his shoulder.

"You seem to make Naomi very happy, and we're grateful for that," Marc said to Kieran. An adorable smile adorned Kieran's face.

"She's amazing," he said.

The lines on Ian's forehead deepened. "Don't hurt her."

"You don't have to act tough. He's already met my dad," Naomi said.

Ian's eyes widened. "Woah, that's pretty serious."

Naomi peered down at him. "What part of 'Be nice, I really like him' wasn't clear?"

Kieran's chest vibrated with a quiet laugh.

"I'm only looking out for you. You deserve the best, and if that's what this is, I'm pumped." Ian glanced at Brinny, who stood opposite him. "Here you are, simply stunning, and we're excluding you."

Brinny's cheeks turned pink, and she tucked a strand of blond hair behind her ear. "Sometimes it's nice to sit back."

As Kieran eyed Ian, who was smiling at Brinny, Ian said, "Naomi tells me you have an adorable puppy."

"Yeah, she's done a super job training him, and he just graduated." Brinny flashed him a captivating grin.

"Aw, charming. Did he get a mini cap and gown?" Ian's tone hovered somewhere between curious and teasing.

She, Naomi and Kieran all laughed.

"Rusty would have destroyed it," Brinny said.

Ian glanced around the yard from the nearby veggie garden to the firepit to the birch near the far fence. "So, where is the little guy?"

"In the dog run," Brinny answered.

"Dog run?" Ian raised an eyebrow at Naomi.

"It's one reason I loved this house when we first saw it. Did I not show you at the housewarming party?"

"I wasn't there as you selfishly didn't throw it until the fall." He raised an eyebrow as if to challenge her.

"Right, I forgot you evaporate into thin air between September and April."

Marc snorted, and his shoulders shook with a laugh.

Ian lowered his translucent-framed sunglasses to look Naomi in the eye. "My courses are too intense for distractions."

Kieran chuckled and stroked Naomi's shoulder. Then he turned to Ian. "You and my brother may get along well."

"Where is Jake?" she asked.

"He probably escaped to the basement." Kieran pulled out his phone and opened his messages.

"What are you studying?" Brinny asked Ian.

He wore his signature proud smile. "Engineering."

She shifted until she faced him. "Oh cool, my dad's an engineer."

He leaned closer. "Really? Which branch?"

"Computer engineering, I think."

"No way! What company does he work for?" As Ian's words per minute tripled, Naomi tried not to laugh. Subtlety wasn't his strength, and Brinny's father was out-competing her.

Kieran's phone buzzed. After texting back and forth, he kissed Naomi on the cheek and said he'd check on Jake and return in a few minutes.

"I can't believe I'm working for your dad!" Ian exclaimed.

"Wait, what?" Naomi blinked. That seemed too unbelievable a lie, even for Ian.

He stared at her like she'd asked him to explain how to breathe. "Brinny's dad is the supervisor at my internship."

Brinny grinned. "He mentioned he had a pretty good intern this year."

Ian raised an eyebrow. "Pretty good? I am exceptionally talented."

"And so modest," Naomi used a fake wistful voice.

"Whatever, Miss my boyfriend is so distracting I can't keep up with this conversation or any chat since you've turned into a lovesick textaholic in the dugout."

She stuck out her tongue. "Bitterness is a fantastic look on you."

Marc shook his head. "Sorry Brinny, I wish I could say they aren't always like this, but they bring out the petty egocentric preschoolers in each other."

Nimkii chuckled at his side.

"How did you all meet?" Brinny asked.

"Marc and I went to school together, and we met Ian through softball two years ago."

"And we've been kicking ass ever since. Dream team!"

Ian held out his hands for high fives.

"So it's a coed thing?" Brinny asked Naomi.

"Yeah. We're almost always short female players though."

Ian looked Brinny up and down. "Do you play?"

She shook her head. "I'm not talented at team sports."

"We've got five days before the game. I could teach you, and I'll treat you to food or drinks after." Ian shot her a hopeful smile.

She bit her lip.

"If you're considering it, negotiate for more than pub food," Naomi said.

"Anywhere you want to go, please?" He had a very effective pleading face. She blamed the unfairly long lashes and his dark eyes.

Brinny swallowed and adjusted the front section of her dress. "You must be desperate for players."

"We'll be fine. Don't let Ian guilt you  if you're uncomfortable."

Ian crossed his muscled arms. "Nomi, you are the worst wingman."

"Wingman? You're pushing softball, and she has a boyfriend she's too polite to mention."

"We broke up," Brinny mumbled.

"Sorry, Kieran didn't say anything." 

Did he know? Was that why she wore that dress? Naomi shook the thoughts away. While Brinny wasn't the most considerate person, she wasn't that scrupleless. Plus, if he was hiding that, he couldn't reassure Naomi as he had earlier. Or she hoped he couldn't.

"He doesn't know. It happened last night."

That was reassuring. But Naomi had spent enough time in the breakup zone to empathize. "I've got a freezer full of ice cream. Help yourself to anything, no judgment. And Ian made chocolate cake and rugelach."

"I could get you some." He was as bright-eyed and eager as Rusty when he performed for a treat. Perhaps that was Ian's motivation to bake. Naomi knew she wasn't the only person who loved the appeal of a boyfriend who'd spoil her with homemade supper and treats.

Brinny swallowed and glanced from the food table to Ian. "I'll try some later."

"Don't wait too long. It won't last. The cake is like eating a light, melty fudge or mousse. It's a special kind of magic." Naomi's stomach gurgled, making everyone laugh.

"After you, hostess." Ian gestured for her to lead the way.

Naomi left, followed by Marc and Nimkii, but when they reached the buffet table, Ian and Brinny weren't with them. They headed to the dog run.

Naomi texted Kieran to see if he wanted anything and started filling plates for both of them, sure to grab lots of desserts, bannock, and everything else she could fit. She'd be lucky to get down the stairs without spilling. Maybe she and Shivanna could procure vintage lunch trays if they hosted another potluck. Nimkii and Marc found a spot in the lawn chair circle while Naomi ventured inside.

When she arrived in the basement, Kieran and Jake played an older version of Call of Duty she'd downloaded to play with Greg ages ago. She sat beside Kieran on the hand-me-down puffy grey couch and munched on taco chips topped with Shivanna's homemade salsa and guacamole.

"The dips are great, Jake," Naomi said.

"I'm glad you think so." He shot a pointed look at Kieran.

"Are you doing okay down here?" she asked.

"Sure, you could use a dehumidifier—" Jake stopped as Kieran elbowed him in the side. "It's good, thanks. I wasn't expecting a gaming console at your place."

"My dad and I used to play old NHL and racing games."

"I can see that." Kieran smiled and turned to his brother. "Let's take a break after this next part."

Naomi had a bite of her mini pizza, picturing the different times Kieran had shown up with the dish and taken care of her. She was much happier and more settled now compared to with Greg. As she snuggled up to Kieran's side, he wrapped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer.

"So, what's your impression of everyone so far?" She asked between bites.

"Shivanna is as lovely as I remember," Jake said. "The rest aren't interesting."

Kieran shook as he held in a laugh. "You didn't even stay to talk to them and form an opinion." He turned to Naomi. "Your friends seem nice enough. Not super jocky, judgy, or douchy."

"You had high expectations." She laughed.

"I wasn't sure, especially what they'd say when they saw who you're dating, but I think it went well." Kieran took a bite of the mini pepperoni and mushroom pizza she'd made him and gave her a cute smile.

"Ian's convinced you're the best spiteful choice to piss off my ex."

"So your ex knows about me?"

Naomi bit her lip. "Not exactly."

"As in, you still haven't told him you have a boyfriend or just not who I am?" Kieran's prolonged stare showed the answer was important to him.

"Umm." She stirred her soft bannock around in the jam. "I was hoping to get through the softball season and tell him if he plays next year." She doubted they'd see each other much once softball wrapped up.

Kieran paused and looked at her before answering. "That is a very conflict-averse plan. How long is the season?"

She finished chewing the thick bread and sweet jam. "It ends in late August. I will tell him. I haven't found the right time, and honestly, it's none of his business who I date."

"Why are you reluctant?" Jake asked.

"My ex was there when Kieran and I met at the bar. I said I didn't catch his name, but when I blurted it out at the party, he figured out we'd seen each other again. So, I said we ran into each other earlier, which was true, but he didn't believe me. He'll think more was happening and will make me feel awful."

"You were crushing on me a little before you broke up." Kieran teased with a grin. She would never live that down, but she liked that it brought him joy.

"Attraction and action are two different things," she said.

"Precisely," Jake said.

The door at the top of the stairs opened, and a man called Jake's name. Once he replied, Austin and a woman with black hair with red streaks in a pixie cut walked into the rec room together. They took in the wood panel walls and the nearby bar heavily padded with brown faux leather.

"I wasn't sure you'd still be here," Austin teased Jake.

"Naomi has COD. It's delaying my escape."

Austin smiled at Naomi. "Thank you for having us." 

Then he introduced his partner, Felicity, who seemed as friendly as him. Naomi was grateful for the interruption because between Brinny's newly single status and Kieran seeming unsettled she hadn't told Greg about her new relationship yet, she needed a break.

The party continues on Wednesday, this time through Kieran's eyes. 

Hopefully, this chapter didn't feel too long. I tried to trim a lot of repetitious or non-vital dialogue. It's tricky introducing or developing characters without overloading the scene.  

 Rugelach image by Istvan Szabo from Pexels.