Page 42 of Faking the Shot (Love Always #1)

Evie

I lift my godson to my shoulder for a healthy burp. He's so tiny, a warm weight on my shoulder. I rub his back, my heart full of love for him.

Kristyn lets the screen door fly closed behind her as she spreads out on a cane chair with her legs stretched out. She's a miracle. It was a difficult delivery, and every time I see my best friend, I feel a rush of gratitude for her and her son.

"Need anything?" I ask.

She glares. "I'm not sick or breakable."

"Okay," I murmur. "Sorry."

"Tell me about dinner with your brand-new repentant stepmother and good sister. Your life is much more interesting than mine,"she complains.

"You're a mother and a warrior. You even have battle scars to show off."

"And you're like the first lady of the North Cats."

Not really. Okay, I will admit people treat me differently. What with Wild constantly dropping my name in interviews and press conferences. And as for the former Mrs. Langford, I did not plan our reconciliation.

It was just before Kristyn's due date, and she desperately wanted a break. She dragged a harried Charlie, got me to convince Wild, and we went on a double date.

It was fun. Mostly. Charlie wasn't fun. He wanted his very heavy wife home safe.

We didn't stay long, to Charlie's relief. I was checking my makeup in the restroom when I caught the former Mrs. Langford's reflection in the mirror. We hadn't seen each other since she got me the box of gardening scarves, and I sent a text to thank her.

She looked good on the surface. But I could see the strain of the divorce, the gossip, and the effort of keeping up appearances. And I felt sorry for her.

"Hi."

Her eyes glinted in disapproval at my casual greeting. Then she looked away. "You're happy?"

I nodded. "Very much."I'd never been happier. It had gotten to the point where I had to pinch myself sometimes to make sure it was real. "And you? Are you well?"

"Why wouldn't I be?"Her eyes chastised me. "I'm just the subject of most dinner conversations. And the last time I checked, that's not terminal."

True. We had nothing more to say. This mix of gratitude, guilt, and fear I still have towards this woman, was it normal?

We sidestepped around each other, only it was in the same direction, and we almost collided. An image of tangled legs, dangerous heels, and harried servers popped into my head. The former Mrs. Langford would have been indignant, asking, how dare the servers let her fall?

And I should stop calling her former Mrs. Langford in my head.

"Goodbye."

"Would you mind,"she kept her face turned away, "if I texted you sometimes?"

"Oh."I blinked. Never in a million years would I have imagined she would want to see me again.

Did I want to see her again? "No, I wouldn't mind."

Outside the bathroom, Wild was a hulking, frowning beast ready to slay dragons on my say so. With the playoffs just around the corner and our wedding coming after it, you would think he'd have less time for me.

He must have seen the former Mrs. Langford come after me and decided to stand guard. I didn't even know she was in the restaurant.

Wild's eyes probed mine as if searching for hidden injuries. I smiled reassuringly, but his frown didn't abate. He raised both hands to my cheeks, erasing the wetness.

"You cried?"

"I'm too happy."

He smiled. "Ready?"

I nodded.

As for the brand-new sister, Kristyn means Ruth. We had lunch once with her father present. It won't become a thing, and everyone is okay with it. I am okay with it.

"Talk to me or give me back my son,"Kristyn threatens.

I gasp at her shamelessness. "You can't use him as a bargaining chip!"

"Can't I?"

"I ran into Megan,"I say with a shudder. "I fear that woman."

"But you won't shut up about her son. Gabriel, is it?"

"Daniel, and he's so smart. He must get that from his mom. Can you believe she congratulated me on my real engagement?"

Kristyn's eyes turn owlish. "Well...I mean... she's not wrong."

"She could have just pretended not to know."

"Like a gentlewoman?"

"A genteel woman," I correct.

Kristyn rolls her eyes. "Please. I will never be genteel, so don't even expect that from me."

"Never," I concur.

"Because I will forever rub your burned and buried era in your face."

"You're annoying."

"What are you burning and burying?"Wild asks, reaching for both me and the baby.

"Oh, nothing,"I say quickly, hating Kristyn's knowing laugh.

Instead, I snuggle into Wild and tip my head back for his kiss.

In my head, I see us with our three children enjoying a night out in the backyard or playing a pickup game.

I see love and laughter. I feel it.

Fun.

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