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Ken: Miss me?

Me: Darcy did.

Ken: That cat loves me.

Me: He tolerates you.

Ken: Same thing.

I smile at my phone.

“Something funny?”

I look up.

Mom is watching me.

“Nope.”

She gives me that look.

The one that says she knows perfectly well I'm lying but is willing to let me think I've gotten away with it.

“Bishop should be here soon,” I say.

“I figured.”

“Why?”

“Because you've checked your phone six times in the last ten minutes.”

I set it facedown on the counter.

“Have not.”

“Of course not, sweetheart.”

I really need to work on my poker face.

Bishop arrives twenty minutes later.

I hear his truck before I see him.

The low rumble of the engine carries through the front windows, followed by the sound of a car door shutting.

Declan is already on his feet.

“About damn time.”

He opens the front door before Bishop can knock.

“Look what the cat dragged in.”

Bishop steps inside carrying an overnight bag and a stack of wrapped presents.

“Good to see you too, asshole.”

They exchange one of those ridiculous half hugs that involve a handshake, a shoulder bump, and enough force to dislocate something.