Chapter 176

"Well, everyone," I said, laying my napkin on the table beside my plate after dabbing my mouth. "I think it's that time of night." I looked around the table. "Thank you all for enjoying this moment with us. I know we will have many more to come, but I must get Leila into bed now."

Amy burst out laughing, almost spitting out the mouthful of wine in her mouth. "Didn't I tell you to leave her alone?"

Leila blushed as Adeline gave her sole attention to her glass of iced tea, embarrassed.

I laughed. "I guess I put my foot in it, didn't I?"

Amy laughed some more, thinking dirty thoughts. "I sincerely hope not."

"All right," I said, rising from the table. "I think you've had enough wine."

"Yeah, yeah! I guess it's time for me to go," she said, rising from her seat. "At least I don't have far to dive."

"If you have to drive there, then I'd worry about you," I said, knowing that she only had to walk a few steps to her front door. Her apartment was right across the hallway on the other