Dream of Me by Delilah Devlin

laughter. At the Warricks’ fence, she slipped her hand from his arm and waited as he opened the gate. Once inside the yard, they followed the sounds to a small, covered patio. Two men stood beside the barbeque holding beers. The women sat on loungers, tall iced drinks on the table between them.
    All gazes turned their way as she and Sam approached.
    Nicky fanned her fingers in a casual wave. “Welcome. There’s a pitcher of margaritas on the table,” she said, pointing over her shoulder at a small wooden table on the patio.
    Deke snorted. “Beer’s in the ice chest, bro.”
    Turning, Sam gave her wink. “You’ve got choices. Stick with me or mingle with the hens.”
    The curvy blonde beside Nicky threw her straw at Sam. “Hens!”
    The men laughed.
    The one Ash guessed was her husband Jax grimaced. “I’m not gettin’ in the middle of that one.”
    “Not if you expect to get any tonight,” she said with a flip of her hair.
    Sam bent toward Ash’s ear. “Be warned. Suri has no filter.”
    “I think I can handle it.” She gave him a conspiratorial smirk.
    “You’re braver than I am,” he muttered and strode toward the table. He poured her a drink, snagged an icy bottle from the chest, and then returned, handing her a drink.
    Ash glanced toward the women. Nicky was beckoning her, and pulling up her legs to make room for Ash on her seat. Mingling with strangers wasn’t an activity she did well, and her stomach clenched. She shot Sam a glance. “We need a signal,” she whispered.
    With his mouth beside her ear, he said, “Wink if you need rescuing.”
    Another blush suffused her face with heat, but she pasted on a smile and strode toward the women, taking a seat on the edge of the chaise.
    “I’m Suri.” The blonde wiggled her fingers in an airy wave.
    “Ash Dupree,” she murmured and took a hasty sip of tangy margarita.
    “So, Nicky tells me you’re from New Orleans. I love the Big Easy. I’ve been there several times.”
    Ash smiled. “It’s muggy as hell this time of year.” She glanced past the wrought iron fence to the beach. “This weather is a really nice change.”
    The men erupted in laughter, and all three women glanced their way.
    “Mmm-mm-mm,” Suri hummed as a grin spread.
    Nicky smacked Suri’s arm. “Don’t be ogling my husband.”
    “I may be taken, but my eyesight’s just fine. Have you ever seen a lineup like that?”
    Ash grinned as she noted the stellar eye-candy. Each man was unique in appearance and appeal, but all were a study in ripped hotness.
    Sam lifted his beer and took a long sip. His gaze slid to the women, and he nudged Jax beside him. She couldn’t hear what was said, but all three men turned to look at their group. Warmth skittered through her insides as his gaze lingered over her.
    “He’s a good guy.” Nicky tilted her head toward the barbeque.
    “I know it,” Ash said. “He’s been…wonderful. Really kind.”
    Nicky slid her hand over Ash’s and squeezed. “I’ll say this just once. I’m really sorry for your loss.”
    Ash kept her gaze on Sam, but her vision was blurred with a sudden welling of tears. “Marc was like all of them. Strong, brave. Before I came here, I wanted to crawl into the grave with him.” She turned to Nicky and gave her a sad smile. “I’m glad I came here.”
    Nicky’s smile was soft. “I can’t imagine what you’ve been through, but I’m happy you’re here, too.”
    Suri swung her legs over her chaise and leaned toward Ash to give her a brief hug. “We’re sisters, you know. We could all be in your shoes.” She pulled back but held onto Ash’s shoulders. “You grab for the gusto, girl.”
    Ash’s laugh was a little thick with pent-up tears. She glanced toward the cloudless deep blue sky and blinked away the moisture. “No more sad thoughts. This is a party, isn’t it?”
    The three women raised their glasses and clinked them together. “To sexy SEALs.”
    “Amen,” Suri said, waggling her