There was a hesitant knock on the gate at the side yard and Callie heard an unsure, "Hello?"
Tani normally prided herself on being extremely self-confident, but she was a little out of her element here. She knew that her boss often hosted barbecues and dinners, but this was her first, and it was her first time meeting Callie, too. She wasn't sure why, but she nervous to meet her boss' fiancée. Though she didn't normally care what people thought of her, she desperately wanted this woman to like her.
"Hi!" Callie said, smiling widely as she opened the gate. "You must be Tani, right? It's so good to finally meet you!" She quickly wrapped Tani in a warm, genuine hug.
Tani grinned at the gorgeous brunette as they ended their embrace. "I am! And I'm assuming you're Callie Soon-to-be-McGarrett?"
Callie laughed. "Yes! Come on into the backyard."
"I've never been here before," Tani said, looking around curiously. "It's gorgeous." It really was. The grass was a lush green and perfectly trimmed, there were plants and flowers everywhere, and, of course, there was the beach. She also took a minute to look at the woman walking beside of her. Jerry was right—Callie was beautiful and tiny. She stood at five-one, a full foot shorter than Steve. Tani had a hard time picturing the two of them together. Steve was all legs and hard muscle and Callie was short and, for lack of a better word, soft. She was thin and fit, but not muscular. From what others had said, though, Callie was a firecracker. Tani guessed that if they didn't seem like a match physically, they matched perfectly in personality and looks.
"Is everyone else here?" Tani asked as they walked.
"Hmm," Callie thought. "Danny and his kids, Lou and his family, Junior, Nalani, Nahale, Kamekona and Flippa…they're all here. Adam and Jerry should be here soon, and my friend Amy is supposed to come too."
The two strolled onto the lanai where the others were gathered. "Hey, Tani," Steve immediately greeted her, standing to give her a quick hug and offering her a drink.
"Um, sure, thanks. I'll have…" She took a quick look around to see what the others, especially the women, were drinking. "A beer?"
"Are you asking permission?" Steve asked, amused.
Tani stood still. "Uh, maybe?"
Steve rolled his eyes. He opened the cooler and pulled a bottle from it, wiping it on a towel and opening it before handing it to her.
"Thanks."
"Notice he didn't ask you what kind you wanted," Danny said. "Because here, there's only one kind of beer. That's all you're getting. If you want something different, you have to bring it yourself. Otherwise, it's Longboards all night. Now, liquor and wine, he has a wide and varied taste for and there are a ton of options, way more than enough. But beer? Nope."
"That's right," Steve said, not even bothering to deny Danny's accusation. "I'm making up for all those years when I was overseas and never had it. Deal with it. Or bring your own and stop drinking mine. That'd work too, Danno." He made a face at his partner.
"Boys," Callie admonished, rolling her eyes.
Steve turned his attention to Tani. "I'm glad you came. You're welcome to do whatever." He motioned to the others. Some were swimming, some sitting and talking, Junior and Lou were playing horseshoes. "Beach towels are in there," he pointed to a bench that opened for storage, "and there are paddleboards and more chairs there." He pointed to the garage. "Drinks are in the cooler, there are snacks in the kitchen…We'll start dinner around seven. Just make yourself at home, okay? Is there anything else you need to know?"
Tani smiled. "No, I think you covered everything. You're some sort of host, boss."
"This time," Steve replied, grinning. "From now on, I just expect you to know without me having to say anything."
A warm feeling bloomed in her chest at the knowledge she had been accepted into this group.
"Got it, boss," she said, forcing the words past the lump in her throat.