Page 89 of Play Dirty

Ally flushes with happiness.

“Who took the pictures?”

“I did,” Effie says proudly. “She wanted to come up with something special for Canyon’s birthday, and I thought a photo shoot would be fun. They did her makeup when they did mine, lighter for her of course, and then I took the pictures once I was done.”

“You did a great job,” I tell her. “You have a good eye.”

“I was thinking I might feature some of her photos at the gallery,” Saylor said. “She has some of a sunset in Hawaii that will take your breath away.”

They start talking about photography and the gallery, and I sit back, gazing at where Marty is drinking a beer with Gabe and Canyon.

“Is he your boyfriend?” Ally asks me, sitting beside me.

I nod slowly, letting the question sink in and take root. “He is.”

“You really like him?”

“I do.”

“Is he…” She wrinkles her nose. “Isn’t he kind of… old?”

That makes me laugh. “I guess he is when you’re twelve. But when you’re twenty-seven, like me, thirty-two is just right.”

“Is he nicer to you than Damien was?”

She and I have had age-appropriate conversations about Damien.

“Somuch nicer. He makes me feel safe and happy and loved. I never felt that from Damien or any other boyfriend I ever had.”

“But do you like his kids?” she asks dubiously. “They’re really loud. And messy.”

“I love his kids,” I admit.

“It sounds like you love him.” Her tone is filled with maturity I don’t hear from her very often, which says something. Ally, like most pre-teens, is normally extremely self-absorbed. But she noticed how I feel about Marty—as well as how others perceive us together.

I look over at him again, watching him laugh with his friends.

“I think I do,” I say softly. “But you keep that to yourself. We’re still figuring it all out. Sometimes falling in love is complicated when you’re an adult.”

“Because he already has a wife.”

“He’s legally separated,” I say firmly. “They’re just waiting for the final court date. I wouldn’t be dating him if he was married in the true sense of the word.”

“If he makes you happy, I like him.”

“Thanks.” I get up and wander over to where Marty is still hanging out with the guys.

“Hey, babe.” He slides an arm around my waist. “What was Ally all excited about?

I don’t want to ruin Canyon’s surprise, so I shake my head. “I’ll tell you later.”

“Okay.” He smiles then nuzzles my neck.

“Have you prepared her for hockey season?” One of the guys on the team I don’t know very well, Chandler Cormier, asks in a teasing voice.

“Kind of.” Marty looks a little startled as he glances at me.

“Believe me, I live with Chey and Ivan right now,” I say right away, anxious to defend Marty. “I’m very aware of the lifestyle and his schedule, as well as the compromises they both make in their schedules. We’re going to sit down with our calendars soon.”

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