Page 50 of Gunner

“You don’t fancy Waggs? He’s cute?”

“Waggs is swoon-worthy in every way, but when I look at him, I just see him as a brother and honestly, he’s more fucked up than I am.”

“Really? He seems, pretty together to me.”

“No, he lost his twin and it fucked him up bad.”

“Wow, I didn’t know that.”

“He doesn’t talk about it at all but goes home every year on the anniversary.”

“That’s so sad, and he’s such a nice guy.”

“Yeah, he is. I wish I did fancy him. Waggs would be an amazing father and husband if he ever let himself get involved.”

“So back to you, what will you do with no man?”

“Not sure, maybe go it alone. I’ve been thinking of using a donor and doing a DIY job.”

“That’s what I’d do if I found myself running out of time and without a man.”

Bebe sat forward. “You would?”

“Absolutely, I’m sure you’d be a great mum.”

“I thought there might be some weirdness from people about it.”

“Who cares what other people think, and let’s be honest, this bunch aren’t exactly playing by the rules on anything. My current next-door neighbour is an assassin for freak’s sake.”

Bebe laughed. “Yeah, news flash, all of Zenobi are. Not the best reference for a mother.”

“I disagree, it makes you perfect. Can you imagine any asshole messing with your kid?”

“Well, that’s true. I think I might look into it.”

“Do it and if you need anyone to hold your hand or the turkey baster, give me a call.”

Lacey stood and walked to the kitchen. “I might make some pancakes. Do you fancy some?”

“Sit down, let me make them. Gunner will kick my ass if you get a hangnail, let alone injure your hands any further.”

Lacey threw her head back and laughed. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

Bebe ignored her and began pulling out everything to make the pancakes, so Lacey sat at the island and watched.

“What will you do with your house?”

Lacey frowned and picked at a spot of lint on her jeans. “I’m not sure. That house was meant to be my fresh start, my sanctuary, and now it just reminds me of the place I nearly died.”

“So, fix it up and sell it. Cut your losses and find somewhere else with Gunner. I have to say I’d live in a barn with a hunk like that.”

“Hey, hands off.” Lacey laughed knowing Bebe wasn’t interested in Gunner that way in the slightest.

“I’m just saying a house isn’t a kid. If it doesn’t feel right get rid of it and find a new place. But let me know if you decide to sell it, I might be interested if this other thing works out.”

Lacey poured syrup over the pancakes that Bebe pushed toward her and dug in, chewing the delicious fluffy goodness and mulling it over. She loved that house, but Bebe was right—if it no longer felt like home then she should sell it. She knew the only way to know for sure was to go back and see how she felt when a cleaning crew had cleaned the place up.

“I’ll give it some thought and let you know.”