Page 33 of Over Time Advantage

Amanda and I share a glance. I don’t think Harper is the only one with a crush.

Kam nods. “Perfect.” She snaps her fingers. “Fallon, set up a playdate with Luke. Harper and I are going to work a little magic. Here’s your first lesson, Harper. Men are morons. They’re so damn easy to toy with. It’s like taking candy from a baby. Brandon will be begging for you by the end of Dry Chardonnay January.” She looks at Andie. “Don’t worry. The wing-woman always wins too. Scotty will be eating out of the palm of your hand by Valentine’s Day. Stick with me, ladies.”

I narrow my eyes at Kam. “They’re eight. I’m not doing this. Manipulation tactics shouldn’t kick in quite yet.”

“I’ll be nine next week,” Harper reminds me with a little bit of a whine. “Kam, are you coming to my party again this year?” she asks hopefully. She’s gotten so close to Kam over the past few months. Kam doesn’t talk to her like a kid, and I think Harper loves that about her.

Kam scoffs. “Obviously. I won laser tag last year. I need to defend my title.” She looks at me. “Will there be booze at this party?”

I shake my head at her ridiculousness. “It’s a nine-year-old’s birthday party, and it’s at eleven in the morning.”

She exhales an annoyed breath. “Whatever. I’ll bring a flask.”

Bailey smiles sweetly at Harper. “We’re going to make your cake together, right?” Bailey made an amazing softball cake for her last year.

Harper fidgets nervously. “Are you sure you’re up for it? You don’t have to.”

Bailey pulls Harper in for a hug. “Nothing would make me happier, sweet girl. This year we can do it together. I’ve been looking forward to it.”

Harper nods. “Okay. I can’t wait. Thanks, Bails. I love you so much.” She squeezes Bailey tight.

Bailey kisses the top of her head. “I love you too.”

Reggie and Amanda look at me, obviously assessing my reaction to this interaction. I offer a genuine smile. Whether Bailey realizes it right now or not, she’s going to be Harper’s stepmom one day. I love how much she loves Harper. Why would it bother me for my daughter to be showered with love? Bailey doesn’t try to replace me. She’s never once undermined me. If anything, she sides with me against Tanner for any small issues that arise. We’re going to be a team. In reality, we already are and have been for the year and a half she’s been in our lives.

I’ve seen how happy Harper’s been for the past few months, having everyone living together. Hell, it’s the only reason I’m still here. I don’t need to be. I could go back home, but I’m giving her this time.

The door opens, and Cassandra, Trevor, and Dylan walk in. Dylan raises her hands in the air in triumph while shaking her hips a bit. “We’re here. The party can start now,” she announces with confidence that exceeds her years and very closely matches her mother’s.

Andie and Harper run to Dylan and hug her before they all disappear into the house somewhere in a fit of giggles, with Piper trailing behind. I tell Trevor that Tanner, Beckett, Sam, and Cheetah are in Tanner’s mancave, drinking whiskey. He makes his way down there to join them.

Cassandra fills and then lifts her champagne glass. “Cheers to the end of pumpkin spiced Xanax season, and welcome to the beginning of it’s so cold out I had to wear two pairs of panties to keep my lips from getting chapped season.”

“You’re not kidding,” Reggie answers. “This weather sucks. It was so windy yesterday that, on the way to the gym, I got blown into the ice cream shop next door.”

“Ice cream?” I blurt as I physically shiver. “Too cold for that.”

She shakes her head. “I blame menopause. Despite the temperature, I was on fire. I needed something cold.”

Amanda nods. “I think I’m in the brain fog phase of menopause. I lose my phone fifteen times a day because I can’t remember where I put it. And I refuse to take it off silent because it wakes the boys from their naps. Beckett gets annoyed when I can’t find it. I’m like, just shut the fuck up and help me look for it.”

Cassandra and Reggie nod in understanding, while Bailey, Kam, and I have no clue what they’re talking about.

Kam studies Cassandra. “Hey, cougar.”

Cassandra immediately responds, “Hey, fuckgirl.”

Kam’s face lights up. “I like that name. No offense, but your husband is fucking hot. Do you worry about women half your age hitting on him?”

Cassandra shrugs in an unaffected manner. “A fish can only be hooked if its mouth is open.”

“You couldn’t find anyone your own age?” Kam unashamedly asks. The woman has no filter.

Cassandra narrows her eyes at Kam. “Let me tell you something, mouthy Ms. Hart. Dating after forty is like thrift shopping. Everything is damaged, smells funny, and thinks it’s still worth full price. That’s why I found myself a young stallion who fucks like a god all night long.”

I can’t help but let out a little moan. “Hmm, that sounds nice. I think I forgot how sex feels. It’s been so long. I’m the only adult in this house not getting laid.” I immediately wince at my word diarrhea. “Sorry, Bailey. I didn’t mean⁠—”

“Are you kidding me?” Cassandra interrupts before pointing to Bailey. “She’s fucking your ex-husband down the hall from you, and you’re apologizing to her?”