Page 93 of Married to Number 22
And yet…she’s here, clearly having stepped out of her comfort zone.
Brave girl.
Strong girl.
A survivor.
Just like my Luns.
I settle the container in the sink then go back over to the trio. “Hey, Bri.” I extend my hand slowly. “I’m Aiden.”
Her shoulders rise and fall on a slow breath, but she wraps her fingers around mine. “Nice to meet you,” she says quietly. Edgily.
I decide to use my previous knowledge and pull out the big guns.
“Did Luna show you the library?”
Her eyes go wide even as Luna’s hit mine, sparkling with humor, knowing precisely what I’m doing. “No,” she says, nudging my side. “But when things calm down and our social batteries are drained I figured that Bri and I would hide there.”
“You have alibrary?” Bri asks, clearly in awe.
“Less library and more room crammed with books since Kathy helped me unpack the boxes. And yes,” she adds, bumping Bri’s shoulder with her own. “There are loads of books in there that you’ll like.” A wink. “And that you can borrow.”
“Really?”
“Reallyreally,” Luns teases.
Bri opens her mouth to reply, but the moment is broken by a big, bearded—loud—hockey player.
“The entertainment has arrived!” Smitty calls as he bursts into the kitchen holding a huge plastic tub that—heaven help me—appears to contain a karaoke machine. “Who’s ready to sing, bitches?!”
Christ.
This is my nightmare.
Especially since Luna loves karaoke.
So, there’s definitely going to be video of me on social media dueting some pop ballad.
“Let’s fucking go!” Smitty cheers, rattling the box.
“Smitty!” my mom cries. “Language.”
“Lang—” He frowns. Then freezes, spotting Bri. “Oh, young ears. My bad.”
“Excuse my husband,” Kailey says, touching his shoulder as she shifts from behind his bulk and moves toward me. “Aiden, sorry I’m late. It’s good to see you again.”
“No apologies.” I tell her, hugging her quickly. “You figure out the issue with your project?”
“No.” She scowls. “There’s a bug somewhere, but I needed a break before I sort it out.” Her scowl deepens. “IfI figure it out.”
“You’ll figure it out, little bird,” Smitty murmurs, voice gentled in a way that’s special only to Kailey. “You always do.”
She touches his jaw, and I watch the big man melt when she lifts up and whispers something in his ear.
I know that Bri sees it too.
Because her expression clouds with confusion.
