Page 165 of One Night with Number Nineteen

I thought it the first time I met her…every single time I’ve been in her presence since.

For the record, that’s every single time we’ve been together over the last five years.

Her gaze snaps to mine, guilt rippling through the soft brown eyes. “I’m so sorry. Tara didn’t show up again and I had to wait for Darian to come. I⁠—”

I set the remote aside, get up, and move over to her.

First, I snag the fountain soda cup (that’s pretty much empty since it’s splashed all down her front).

Second, I grab the bag of food and her purse.

“Go change,” I order. “I’ll put the fries in the air fryer for you.”

Because Veronica and I agree about a lot of things. And one of those things is that soggy fries are a crime against humanity.

“You don’t⁠—”

“Go, V.”

She pauses, hesitation in every cell, but I know my best friend well enough by now.

I just turn for the kitchen, hit the air fryer, and wait until her footsteps drift away.

Then I pull out my phone and fast-track another large Diet Coke for her from the closest approved fast-food joint for just this type of emergency.

Veronica is the picture of patience, of steady, of easygoing…

Except when it comes to her Diet Cokes.

There she has a strict hierarchy.

And considering her day—one that began with her being called in for a shift she didn’t want and hadn’t planned for, but covered anyway, then got longer by having to stay late, and ended with her spilling her precious caffeinated nectar—she deserves the best.

So, I make that happen.

The air fryer dings right as she comes back in. “Thanks again for staying with Alex. I know Axel would have kept him, but I…” More guilt.

“Don’t apologize for wanting to spend as much time with your kid as possible.” I dump the fries onto a paper-towel-covered plate and bring them over to her as she digs into the bag for her burger. “Or for being late. I like hanging with Alex.”

Her mouth opens.

Closes.

Then opens again. “What’d you guys do?”

“Luna was in a cooking mood, so we ate until bursting⁠—”

Her mouth quirks.

“—we took a walk to help that settle, then the aforementioned soccer, some video games, and then I managed to coax Alex into taking a shower and to brush his teeth.”

Veronica chuckles good-naturedly. “What is it with boys and not wanting to shower?”

“The wide availability of overpowering body spray?”

Now her nose wrinkles. “Lord help me. I am not ready for Alex’s body spray era.”

“Luckily, he’ll come out the other side of it.” I wink. “Eventually.”