Page 165 of Everything After

“Gorgeous,” she agreed, smiling.

“And this is…” I questioned.

“Oh, shit, sorry, honey,” he said, apologizing to her first before turning to us. “Alfie, Lily, this is Alyna, my wife.”

“Wife?” Both Lily and I said at the same time. The room inside fell silent at our question, with all eyes wide with surprise, and focused on Cody.

My wife and I had followed Cody’s success as a solo artist, wishing him the best. We knew he’d already had a number one debut album and was about to release a second. However, apart from learning about his public persona, there had been little to nothing about his private life.

“How… when?” I asked, then flashed Lily a guilty look for sounding interested.

“Alfie, at least let our guests get through the door,” Lily admonished. “Hi, Alyna, it’s lovely to meet you,” she added, quickly minding her manners.

“It’s amazing to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you both… actually, all the guys in the band,” she disclosed, blushing.

“All lies, I bet,” I muttered, smiling. “Come, let’s get you guys a drink,” I said, placing Charlie down on the floor. “Hey, Delilah, we’ll catch up in a bit. Would you mind taking care of this little tyke. Vicky should be around somewhere, would you see he gets to her?”

Charlie went off with Delilah and I turned my attention back to Cody.

“Damn, he’s walking already,” Cody marveled.

“Two months ago,” I said proudly.

“Too quickly,” Lily countered. Despite all her fears about being a mom, her daily grumbles usually included the words ‘he’s growing too fast’.

“Let’s get you that drink,” I suggested, gesturing toward the pop-up bar.

“Married, huh?” Lily said, cutting straight to the chase before we’d even gotten there. My eyes narrowed as I studied my wife more closely to see how his news affected her. But, apart from a simple degree of curiosity in her expression, she didn’t seem affected.

“Yeah, almost three months now. Alyna prefers that our personal life is kept private.”

Personally, I was stoked for the guy, because it meant he was over his feelings for my wife.

“Good for Alyna. You’re a smart woman,” Lily said. “How have you managed to keep it a secret?”

“We eloped. Went to a courthouse in Montana. We flew back that day to Denver, as I had a performance that night.”

“No one has picked up on it?”

“No, but they’re about to. Alyna’s pregnant. Only just, mind you, almost six weeks now.”

“Congratulations,” I said, feeling a warmth in my heart for Cody that had never been there before.

“I’m so happy for you… and you, Alyna. You’ve got a good one here,” Lily disclosed, beaming about his news.

“Oh, I know,” she agreed. She glanced up at her husband and Cody immediately dipped his head close to hers. He planted a small kiss on her lips, but as she drew back, he went in for a second.

There was no doubt from the adoration in his eyes and the way he held her close the whole time we talked, Cody was all the way in, just like I was with Lily.

“It was love at first sight,” Cody admitted. “As you know, I wasn’t looking at all—wanted to get my head on straight, but wham! There she was.”

“There who was?” Rick interjected. “Sorry, dude, can you give us the Cliff Notes version of your story, Coral’s decided we’re going to be parents today.”

Cody chuckled. “I read about that. Congratulations. It would appear there’s something in the water in Miami.”

“Indeed, although there’s nothing watery about my swimmers,” Rick replied, winking. “Coral got pregnant first try.”

“Alyna, you know Rick Fars, the man needs no introduction, but this is one of his gorgeous partners, Coral.”