Page 43 of With Us

“Exactly,” Tina said, only her head and hand sticking out of the water as she finished her drink.

Julie handed her mostly full one over. “It’s starting to get warm, and I can’t chug it if I’m driving.”

“I guess I could do you this favor,” Tina said, taking a gulp as she turned to me. “Where do you live?”

“In the city, a few blocks from Beacon Hill.”

“Do you like it?”

I did a weird shrug and nod. “It’s exciting, which isn’t always a good thing. But there’s tons to do within walking distance, which is the tradeoff to the closet sized apartments.”

“Is the café you work at near there?” Julie asked.

Although I wasn’t sure why, I was surprised they knew where I worked. Thinking on it, I realized there were a lot of things they’d said that showed Theo must have talked about me more than I’d initially assumed.

“Yeah, it’s a bit of a walk, but not too bad.”

“We’ll have to come grab coffee there sometime. Luc is always raving about the pastries.”

“The man does like his food.”

“That’s an understatement.” Tina finished the drink and started eating the pineapple slice. Less than a minute later, she looked above my head and smiled. “You’ve always been my favorite cousin.”

“I know,” Theo said right near my ear, making me jump.

I turned to see him in the water as he held the pitcher to refill Tina’s cup. “I didn’t realize you really could get right up to the hot tub.”

“Yeah, it’s shallow over here on purpose. Want more?”

Nodding, I held out my cup. “Just half.”

After pouring, he brushed his lips against mine. “Let me know if you want more.”

I want more. So much more. Like, a whole lot more.

Once again, I broke eye contact first, pushing the wet hair out of my face as I drank.

“What’re you doing, Kit-Kat?” he asked.

“Going to the bathroom. Mama said only one ‘p’ should be in a pool, and that’s the letter.”

Laughing, he nodded. “Your mama is right. Climb on, and hang on tight.”

Kat’s little body clung to his back as he climbed out of the water and carried her and the drink pitcher inside.

“He’s going to be such a good dad. I hope you want a lot of kids,” Tina said nonchalantly. “You guys would make the most gorgeous babies ever.”

I choked.

Full-on hacking cough, wheezing, this-is-the-end,choked.

“Tina Moretti!” Julie slapped my back a few times to help as she yelled, “And you wonder where your daughter gets it! What’s your excuse?”

“I’m drunk!”

Julie raised her brows in disbelief. “Off a couple super weak drinks?”

“Okay, I’ve got a slight buzz, whatever. I’m just stating the truth. And you’ve heard how he talks about her. He’s obviously crazy about her. Why wait?”

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