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“I was so afraid you’d break,” he murmured, chuckling softly at the memory. “You feeling okay? Can I do anything for you?”
“I’m sure I don’t look it, but I’m fine.”
Hair a tangled bird’s nest on top of her head. An old, faded sweatshirt. No makeup to hide the circles under her eyes. “You’re beautiful.”
Her delicate fingers unfurling, Charlotte squeaked. His smile broadening, Kodiak touched a finger to her tiny palm. The baby grasped it, and the muscle in his chest squeezed.
“She loves her uncle already.” Linnea beamed. It was so good to see that smile on her face. “Here, let me take her, and you can make us some tea, yeah?”
“Chamomile?”
“Perfect.”
Returning with the tea, he found Charlotte suckling at her mother’s breast. Kodiak held his breath, waiting for the wave that would surely come. Relieved when it didn’t, he released it, handing a cup to his sister. “Got it?”
“Yeah,” she assured him, adjusting herself on the sofa. “I’m getting good at this multi-tasking thing.”
He nodded once, and picking up his tea, noticed the screen light up on his phone. Right there on the coffee table. In plain sight. A quick glance and she’d see it. An email notification from their father.
Fuck off and die, why don’t you?
So as not to draw attention to it, Kodiak slipped the phone into his pocket.
“A little birdie told me Chloe is having one of her little parties tonight. What does she call them?”
“A soirée.” Linnea puffed out a sad excuse for a laugh, none the wiser. “And who might that little birdie be? Let me guess, Bo?”
“You would be right.” He misses you. Everyone misses you. “I think you should go. Be with your people.”
“I already told Chloe I’m not coming.”
“You can change your mind,” he offered.
“I could, but I’m not going to,” she affirmed with a shake of her head, then lifting Charlotte to her shoulder, Linnea rubbed her back. “You’re going to the club, aren’t you?”
“Thought I might.”
“Good. Promise me you’ll make sure Dillon has a good time.”
Kodiak raised his brow. “I’ll, um, do my best.”
“It’s his birthday, you know.”
The baby burped.
“Yes, Linnea, I’m aware.”
“And be sure to have some fun yourself.”
He grinned.
Oh, I’m planning on it.
Kelly was sipping on champagne, waiting for him in the greeting area, when he got there. As beautiful as ever. Slinky black dress. Strolling over to her, Kodiak kissed her cheek and grinned. “Wore that for me, did you?”
“You remember it?” She seemed surprised.
“How could I forget?”
