Page 269 of Out of Left Field

But instead of everyone leaving like I expected, a damned line formed to congratulate me like I’d landed a big contract extension.

It was fucking weird.

At least Rhett behaved normally. He nodded once, gave me a short salute, and left.

“We’re just happy to see you happy,” Seth sighed. “Let us celebrate the underdog getting his happily ever after.”

“Happily ever after? You spend too much time around Zoe.”

Erik smacked me upside the head. “What is with you knuckleheads? Put some respect on her books or get out. What’s so wrong with being happy anyway?”

“Nothing.” Seth said with a nod. “Everett’s just afraid we’ve jinxed him.”

“You’re not wrong. Willa’s dad is here and he’s not my biggest fan right now.”

Seth froze, his mouth hanging comically open. “You have to win over Mr. Cooper? Can I watch?”

“You’re an asshole.”

“And you deprived me of years of teasing you. Is he outside?” Seth ran for the door.

Hunter shook his head. “Sometimes I really love being part of this team. And sometimes I wonder if you’ve all fucked my head up so much I just think I love being part of this team.”

I shook his hand. “You and me both, my man. You and me both.” I grabbed my bag and followed the line out the door.

And because of fates and luck in the universe, Willa was waiting…with Seth talking Mr. Cooper’s ear off.

I took her hand and kissed her cheek. “Hey.”

“Hey. So Seth informed the team?”

“Yep.”

“He’s so weird sometimes.” She scrunched her nose up.

“Sometimes? It’s a permanent affliction. I don’t know what Annalise sees in him.”

“Hey now.” The woman herself swatted my arm.

“What? It’s true. Collect your man so I can get about the business of not being good enough for Willa.” I knew Patrick Cooper well enough to know that he’d give me a hard time for a little while and then let it all go because Willa was happy.

I just needed to survive however long that process took.

22

WILLA

“We’re having a nice family brunch at the Ansons. And Dad? Please behave.”

He shoved his wallet into his pocket while pretending absolutely nothing was wrong. “When have I not behaved?”

“I don’t fall for that fake innocent act anymore. I had no choice when I was a kid.”

“You didn’t fall for it when you were a kid either,” he grumbled.

“Someone had to keep you honest.” The single parent to an only child relationship was different than those who had siblings or multiple parents. Dad was softer on me and I was harder on him. He was always solidly the parent and I was always the child, but sometimes we slid into friendship more than I ever saw with my friends.

“That’s what my friends were for.”