Before neXt

Gina showed up early to find the door wide open and with signs marking the way through the house. She followed the signs and found Elliot relaxing on a pool lounger as some people set up the Slip n' Slide Bounce House pointing towards the pool that she didn't know Elliot had.

"Gina!" Reese screamed before tackling Gina's legs. "You're here!"

"Hello, birthday girl," Gina laughed as Elliot looked over, barely peeking over the shades she had on. "How old are you now?"

Reese beamed while Gina lifted her. "I'm eight years old now. May I have my present now?"

Before Elliot could protest, Gina pecked Reese's cheeks. "There, you can have the rest of your present later, Reese."

"Okay," Reese agreed, hugging Gina.

"Elliot! Reese! I'm here!" Someone shouted from the front door.

Gina set Reese down and the young girl bolted. Elliot chuckled, walking over to Gina, and Gina couldn't stop staring. Elliot had a long silk robe over her bikini top and board shorts.

"That would be Topher and his boys," Elliot smiled at Gina.

Gina nodded. "Was the dress code swim attire?"

Elliot checked her phone and laughed. "I forgot to click the send button on my message to you last night. My bad. I have some spares if you want to use the pool."

"How could you?" Gina pouted, crossing her arms. "How are you going to make it up to me?"

Elliot took Gina's hand and tugged gently. Gina sighed and let Elliot guide her inside. They said a quick hello to Topher and the boys before heading upstairs to Elliot's room.

"All of this is at your disposal," Elliot grinned, gesturing around the walk-in closet. "Plus I give you kisses."

Gina rolled her eyes and pulled Elliot in for a hug. "You're lucky I like you, El. Should I put on a little fashion show for you?"

Elliot blushed. "No, I'm good. I'm just going to be downstairs and prep the vegan appetizers."

Gina smirked as Elliot rushed out of the room.

/ - / - /

Gina was enjoying some appetizers when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned and almost choke upon seeing Shea.

"Boss, what are you doing here?" Gina cleared her throat.

Shea chuckled as she stole an appetizer off Gina's plate. "Elliot invited me on the behalf of Reese and I thought my son could socialize a bit more."

Gina frowned. "Really? Using Ethan now?"

"Excuse me, but Shea, did you lose this kid?" Elliot questioned, carrying Ethan over. "Can I give him a Nerf water gun for the water wars?"

Shea looked Elliot up and down. "How did you get him to warm up to you so fast?"

Elliot shrugged. "The offering of cookies and chaotic fun was a pretty good deal."

"May I, mama?" Ethan smiled.

"Sure, kiddo," Shea smiled back. "Just be careful."

"Sweet!" Elliot beamed. "Also, beware of a lady drinking wine. She'll interrogate you once you start a conversation."

Gina sighed as she watched Elliot go. "Damn."

Shea shook her head and laughed. "Gina, you're drooling. You need to stop."

"Shea, you have eyes, right?" Gina rolled her eyes. "Elliot is amazing."

"And she knows that. Hi, I'm Topher, Elliot's older brother-in-law," Topher commented as he joined them. "Elliot married my younger identical twin brother. Probably because I'm the gay one and he was bi. So Gina, did Elliot finally ask you out? She talks nonstop about you."

Gina giggled. "Not yet but that's good to know. How are you doing, Topher?"

Topher huffed. "Fine except there's not enough meat around here. I know it's your fault, little miss vegan. She did it all for you."

Shea smirked. "Gina, you're going to have to ask her out. She practically adores you."

"I can't," Gina protested as she grabbed more food. "She lost her husband roughly three months ago."

"Oh, that's enough time," Topher waved his hand in dismissal. "It would only take Elliot that long to grieve. She made a promise to Terrance when they got married that if either of them died, they had to move on after 90 days of grieving. But hell, she was making eyes at you before the 90 days were up."

Shea gave Gina a knowing look. "Just go for it."

"Excuse me, dears," some elderly lady stated as she moved closer. "You're blocking the appetizer table and I am rather famished."

"Good luck," Topher whispered before disappearing.

Gina and Shea moved aside for the lady to grab some food. It was then that Gina noticed the wine glass in the woman's hand. She barely recalled Elliot's warning when the lady spoke again.

"So how do you two know Elliot and Reese?" The lady questioned, eyeing the duo.

"Through Elliot's restaurant," Shea answered. "Shea Salazar and this is my associate, Gina Graham."

The lady smiled. "Jacqueline Sari, Elliot's mother. A pleasure to meet you, ladies."

Shea was rescued by her husband, Ty, after half an hour while Gina was stuck with Jacqueline, talking about Elliot, Reese, and other random things. At least until Elliot showed up in a long bathrobe and standing on a towel to avoid dripping on the floor.

"Hi, mom," Elliot beamed. "Hungry? I'm getting the lobster tails. Gina, the birthday girl is looking for you."

Gina beamed. "Is that so? I should go."

Jacqueline agreed. "Yes, you should. I do believe Reese takes after Elliot with being impatient."

/ - / - /

"Have some steak," Jacqueline urged Gina when they all sat down for lunch. "You're skin and bones."

Elliot blocked Jacqueline's attempts to put meat on Gina's plate. "Mom, she's vegan. Stop bothering her."

Gina winced. "It's fine, Elliot."

"Then have this," Elliot smirked, placing a piece of steak on Gina's plate.

Gina tried her best not to be annoyed. She planned on killing Elliot later for not respecting her meal choice. She made a show of eating and looked at Elliot as soon as the steak flavors hit her tongue. It was a tofu steak and it was delicious.

"El, is there more of this particular steak?" Gina questioned after swallowing.

Elliot moved a plate closer to Gina. "Have at it."

Shea nudged Gina and whispered. "Not vegan anymore?"

Gina whispered back, "Tofu steak. Try it."

Gina ate with delight while Elliot ran interference with Jacqueline until she left. She noted how drained Elliot looked after that and waited to trap Elliot in the garage. She held Elliot close and pecked the shorter girl's head.

"Feel better?" Gina asked after a few moments.

"Much," Elliot grinned, her head still against Gina's chest. "I want you to stay after the party but I'm still not ready for that."

Gina rubbed Elliot's cheeks. "It's okay. Plus you're tired. Anyways, we should grab something before we head back out there."

Elliot laughed and pecked Gina before taking the cakes from the refrigerator in the garage. "There's two because this one is mine."

"You can't finish a whole cake," Gina laughed as they headed back to the party.