Page 107 of Claim to Fame

“I heard you the first time. Who’s the parent here, me or you?” he said, taking the pastry box she offered to him and setting it on the kitchen counter.

“Sorry we’re late!” Gavin called as he and Kyla pushed through Ethan’s front door.

Jamie swung Julie up onto his shoulders, the little girl’s giggles floating through the kitchen. “You’re fine. We’re still waiting on Baz and Sabrina.”

Ethan watched his friend and daughter dote on their child and his heart clenched in his chest for the millionth time since Hannah left, thinking of all the things he wanted with her, things he hoped she still wanted as well.

“We’re here!” Sabrina appeared in the doorway followed by Baz. “Sorry, there was traffic getting back from my parents’ house.”

“I didn’t know you were going to be at your parents’ today. You didn’t need to rush back for this,” Ethan said.

“As if we were going to miss game night, or the chance to wish you good luck,” Sabrina said.

“Best if our visits with the Pages are kept short anyway,” Baz added.

“Are Jo and Molly coming?” Tessa asked.

Kyla shook her head. “Molly’s got a bunch of papers to grade and Jo couldn’t switch her shift at the bar. But,” she turned to Ethan, “she said to tell you to ‘go get your girl, foxy’.”

Ethan rolled his eyes.

“Still don’t love that nickname,” Tessa said with an exaggerated grimace.

“Caleb’s got some church thing but he sends his best,” Gavin said.

“Caleb’s always got some church thing,” Jamie added.

Gavin shrugged, reaching for one of the cupcakes Tessa brought. “That’s what happens when you’re a priest.”

The house filled with laughter, everyone talking over each other, as they filled plates in the kitchen and took them into the living room to kick off board game night. It wasn’t their usual night to gather, but Ethan wouldn’t be there for their usual night this week, and the guys had insisted they not skip it altogether.

“What are we playing?” Ethan asked as he took his seat at the table in the corner of the living room.

“Trivial pursuit,” Baz said reaching for the box.

“We have too many players,” Ethan said.

“No, we don’t.” Kyla took Julie from Jamie’s arms, tickling her under her chin. “I’m going to sit this one out. Julie and I have a date to take some pictures in the yard now that the flowers are blooming. The light right now is perfect.”

Ethan watched as they left through the back door, Kyla’s camera bag slung over one shoulder and Julie balanced on her hip, giggling all the way out the door. He had a good life, a house full of people who loved him, a thriving business. And he had never felt more alone.

“She looks good with a baby,” Gavin mused. All eyes snapped to him. “What?”

“Are you two…trying?” Jamie asked.

“No, not exactlytrying,” Gavin hedged, lifting the lid off the game box. “Not exactlynottrying.”

Jamie whooped. Tessa squealed. Sabrina pressed her hands to her lips. Ethan’s stomach dipped, happiness and something a lot like envy swirling together.

“You two will have the cutest kid,” Sabrina said.

“You can’t tell her I said anything.” Gavin set a stack of game cards down in front of Sabrina with a pointed look. “We haven’t told Brodie yet.”

Baz leaned back in his chair, slinging his arm around Sabrina’s shoulders. “Brodie won’t care.”

“He might. It could be kind of weird for him to have a little brother or sister young enough to be his own kid,” Gavin said.

“If he says anything, I’m sure your mother will knock some sense into him,” Jamie said.

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