Page 171 of Keeping Kasey
I decide against mentioning that I wouldn’t have wanted to go to that wedding even on the best of terms.
As if sensing her husband, Elise turns toward us.
“Kasey!” she exclaims. She turns the stove off and pulls the other woman along as she comes over to us.
“Try not to be an asshole,” he says under his breath, eyes never straying from his wife. “She’s not the one you’re mad at.”
Moreno passes me without waiting for a response, giving Elise a chaste kiss before joining Damon and Ryder’s conversation.
“Kasey, this is Rachel,” Elise says, gesturing to the woman. “Rachel, this is Kasey.”
“It’s nice to finally meet you,” Rachel greets, holding out her hand.
I stare at her hand for a moment before reluctantly shaking it and mentally screaming at myself for getting into this weird situation in the first place.
“I’m sure you’ve heard great things about me,” I deadpan.
“As a matter of fact, I’ve heard you’re extremely talented,” she says with a gentle smile.
I don’t have anything to say to that, so I don’t say anything at all.
Once it’s clear I’m sticking with silence, Rachel clears her throat and gestures toward where Moreno, Damon, and Ryder all watch us. “That’s my husband, Ryder, and our kids, Lyla and Dominic.” She gestures to the two kids, and my brow rises at the obvious complexion difference between the boy and the rest of her family.
She nods at the silent question. “We adopted Dominic several months ago after his mother died.”
I study Dominic as he continues to try to attack Logan. The similarities are baffling—the hair, skin tone, mischievous eyes, and fiery spirit are allLogan.
Elise must catch my curiosity, because she leans in and says, “He’s Mason’s son.”
I whip my head around and find her watching Dominic with warm interest.
“Your brother?”
She nods. “Dominic doesn’t know that yet, but he will when he’s old enough.”
“I’ve known him since he was a baby,” Rachel explains. “When his mom passed away earlier this year, Ryder and I took him in, and he’s been with us since.”
“Hey! That’s not fair!” Dominic yells, and we all look to the living room, where Logan is holding Dominic by his feet, dangling the boy upside down.
“I told you if you hit me again, I’d hang you upside down. I’m a man of my word, kid.”
“Dominic, you know better than to hit,” Ryder chastises. “Tell Uncle Logan you’re sorry, or you’re going to time-out.”
The boy’s frown is comical as he mutters, “I’m sorry for hitting you.”
Logan turns the boy right side up by tossing him on the couch, and Dominic’s frown disappears as he erupts into a fit of laughter, then begs Logan to do it again.
“How long until dinner’s ready?” Moreno asks.
“Ten minutes,” Elise calls over her shoulder.
“Consoli, is there a place we can talk?”
Logan looks like talking to Moreno is the last thing he wants to do, but he nods to the back hallway.
“Kasey,” Moreno calls, nodding in the direction they’re going.
For the hundredth time, I regret coming here, even as I follow them.
