Page 32 of Summer Ride

“Yeah,” he smiled. “I’ve now got a new goddaughter.” He motioned to the image he’d saved on his phone’s screen of Malia.

“They asked you to be her godfather?”

He chuckled. “Not officially yet. Damion always jokes about both me and Dean being the godparents, even calling us godfathers all the time. I’m sure they’re saving the final decision for when they get back.”

She relaxed. “I’d wager Dean thinks he’s going to win that award.”

He made a pffft sound as he waved his hand as if shooing a fly away. “He’s not good enough to be Malia’s godfather.”

She laughed. “And you are?” She shifted to get a better look at him.

“Hell, yeah, I am. I have a box of things I’ve purchased just for her, waiting for them to get back home.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “I love kids.” His eyes met hers. “Plan on having a few for myself someday. You?”

Her smile slipped slightly. “I…”

Just then, Aubrey leaned on the table. “This time, I have all the insider information.” She motioned towards the board. “Better hurry up, all the good slots are being taken.”

Aubrey slid into the chair across from Kara while Carter rushed to put his name on the board.

“How are you holding up?” Aubrey asked her once they were alone.

“I’m fine,” she said easily.

Aubrey leaned closer and lowered her voice. “If you need anything, we’re here for you. You know that right?” Aubrey held her hand.

Kara nodded and, for the first time, she felt guilty about keeping her past from her friends.

“Brett mentioned that this guy, the one that broke into your place, is someone from your past?” Aubrey leaned back in the chair, looking a little tired.

“Yeah,” she said, as a wave of guilt hit her again.

“Ex-boyfriends can be…”

Something primal had Kara quickly saying, “He was never my boyfriend.”

Aubrey’s eyebrows rose slightly. “A stalker?” She leaned forward. “Oh, honey, those are the worst.” She touched her hand again. “I’m so sorry.”

Kara knew that Aubrey wasn’t trying to pry. She really was a good friend. One of the best. She’d only had a handful of people she could put in that category in her entire life. Every member of the Wildflowers and a select few of her coworkers were easily in that group.

“He… kidnapped me. When I was thirteen,” she said softly.

Aubrey was quiet for a moment, then glanced around the room. “Oh, sweetie.” Her hand tightened around her own. “How did the SOB get out of jail?”

She shrugged, her eyes remaining on their joined fingers, using the connection as an anchor to keep her emotions from boiling up.

“What do you need from us?” Aubrey asked as Carter started making his way back across the room towards them.

“Just this.” She squeezed her hand and then released it when Carter sat down next to her. “Well, I doubt I’ll win the next two rounds of guess-when-the-baby-will-drop. Aubrey has all the good dates and times.” He stuck his tongue out at Aubrey, who did the same before laughing.

Kara smiled. “I think I’m ready to head home,” she said after a few more minutes. The party had died down some, and the long day had finally hit her.

There was a time, not long ago, when she would have been able to stay awake until the wee hours of the morning.

It was just past eleven when they pulled up and parked at the house. Earlier that morning, they had moved all of the things she had packed into the house.

There was still a lot left in the small apartment, but she really didn’t care if she had it with her or not. At least not for now.

As they lay in bed, Carter informed her that Damion had reserved the rental for them for the following weekend.