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Monica is the first to jump up.
“Of course not, darling. You’re just in time.”
Mason stiffens beside me, even as the man’s gentle gaze sweeps over all of us.
“Let me introduce you to my kids,” Monica says. She names everyone, even me, which surprises me, before wrapping an arm around his shoulders. “Everyone, this is Bob. He’s a very good friend of mine.”
Judging by the way Bob snickers and blushes, I’d be willing to bet they’re a little more than just friends.
“He’s her boyfriend,” Mila mutters, rolling her eyes. Surprisingly, she’s been quiet tonight. Moody. Unusual for her.
Monica actually blushes. “Thank you, Mila. Yes, Bob and I have been seeing each other.”
“You didn’t tell me that?” Bailey scolds and Savannah nods.
“Well, forgive me for not outing it to the world.” Monica looks at Bob, a tender smile pulling on her lips. “It’s new. We only just started seeing each other. We met at group counseling.”
“Sounds like a match made in heaven,” Bailey grumbles, taking a drink of sweet tea while the man beside her, her husband, Charlie, shakes his head and says something quietly in her ear. “Right now?”
He doesn’t say anything, but Bailey must understand the glimmer of amusement in his eyes.
“Fine.”
Sliding back from the table, she retreats into the house.
“What’s that about?” I ask Mason quietly, who just shakes his head, his jaw ticking.
Uh-oh.
“Mom, I have a gift for you.”
Bailey returns, placing a small bag in front of Monica at the head of the outdoor table. She looks at it, looks at Bailey, looks at Charlie, then looks back at the bag.
“I knew it,” she mumbles under her breath, tearing at the tissue paper inside.
Finally, she produces an impossibly small newborn onesie.
Holy shit.
Mason’s hand tightens on my thigh, but he doesn’t say anything as Monica starts balling her eyes out.
“I knew it,” she cries, throwing her arms around Bailey and then, Charlie when he joins them. “When are you due?”
“Six months,” Bailey says, cheeks flaming. “And don’t get your hopes up. We’re waiting until he’s born to tell everyone the sex.” She pauses for a moment as cheers erupt. “Shit.”
“Oh, this is going to be so much fun,” Monica beams. “A grandson,” she tells Bob, who shakes Charlie’s hand.
I place my hand over Mason’s squeezing his palm and he interlocks our fingers, his gaze searing into mine. His wordsfrom last night float through my mind. They seem like such a lifetime ago, but now, I can’t get them out of my head.
The Brethren may be breathing down our neck. The cartel . . . my mother . . . but it’s comforting to know that even in these times, something good can come out of the darkness.
“What did I miss?”
Everyone turns as Logan Prince strolls into the back yard, and for the first time since I met him, he’s not wearing a suit and tie. He looks handsome in a button-up and jeans, almost normal if it weren’t for the devilish smirk on his face.
“We’re going to have a baby!” Monica cries as he takes his place by Savannah and brings her in for a kiss.
“Sorry I’m late,” he murmurs quietly, stroking a hand over her cheek.
