Page 89 of Wild Card

“We are enjoying a beautiful day by the pool with friends.” She pats her stomach. “This baby needs some vitamin D.”

“You’ve had her to yourself for a month, Talon. We’re not going anywhere, so stop trying to push us out.”

Willow squeezes my hand before reaching for one of the boys’ floats. “May I?”

“Sure.” Major gently pushes Levi her way.

She lifts him out and twirls him around in the water until he’s in a fit of giggles. Koby’s not stupid and fusses to get in on thefun. Willow motions for me to help him out and hand him over. Then she repeats the action with both boys.

She smiles wide, blowing raspberries on their arms and giggling with them.

“I miss this age.”

“Is there something else we don’t know about Talon’s new girlfriend?” Jewls’ question is loaded with the accusation that we’ve been hiding an even larger secret.

“My nephew is five, and he outgrew me holding him in the water a while ago. Now it’s more like squirt guns and tossing in the air until my muscles protest in agony. But since he has me wrapped around his finger, I don’t complain.”

I can’t take my eyes off her. The boys are captivated.

I completely relate.

The last ofthe taillights disappear, and I blow out a breath of relief.

They finally left.

I should have known when Major rolled that wagon around the corner today that they had plans to stay. After an hour of playing in the pool, the boys fell asleep. Jewls declared it was happy hour.

I thought for sure everyone was on their way out when the temp chilled and the boys woke, but they simply moved inside, discussing dinner.

Several times I started to shut down the party, but the happiness on Willow’s face stopped me. She was beaming, laughing like crazy, and enjoying every story told.

It was torture and amazing at the same time.

I loved seeing her carefree and fun. The stress of the last few days vanished and she was glowing.

After dinner, Major and Ace took mercy and rallied to leave.

“I love your friends.” Willow curls into my side.

“They’re your friends now, too. Didn’t think they’d ever fucking leave.”

“The boys are adorable.”

“Yeah.”

“You’re good with them.”

“Levi and Koby are the only babies I’ve been around. It’s been a learning experience.”

Her eyes glimmer in the dimness of the porch lights. “Thank you for today.”

“Didn’t really have a choice.”

“You did. The girls told me they had a deal with their husbands. If you asked them to leave, they’d comply.”

“Seeing as I asked those asses to stay away for one day, not sure I believe that.”

I lead her back into the house, locking us in, and notice Wolf passed out on the couch. Today, he had a yard much larger than he’s used to and roamed every inch of it in doggy heaven.

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