Page 92 of In Spades

“Come on!” Kylie said, clapping her hands together. “It’s time to go!”

The weather was perfect, so rather than the regular poker night, Maddie and Luca invited everyone and their families over for a bonfire. Luca promised to grill up something delicious and reassured everyone that there would be enough non-alcoholic drinks for the underage crowd.

After grabbing Zoey’s booster seat from Kristin’s car, the six of us piled into my truck and headed to Beaufort.

“Is Luca going to be there?” Kylie asked from the back seat.

Logan rolled his eyes and elbowed her. “He’s married.”

Kristin laughed. “Even if he wasn’t, he’s way too old for you.”

The rearview mirror reflected Kylie’s wicked smile. “Will is older than you. Like way older than you.”

Kristen stiffened.

I reached over and held her hand. “Which proves a very good point about waiting for the right person.”

“Besides,” Kristin said, relaxing again. “Me and Will together makes a relationship. You and someone Luca's age makes a felony.”

Kylie smirked. “My favorite color is morally gray.”

“Oh Lord,” I muttered while Will stifled a laugh.

Zoey piped up. “Will, are you gonna marry Krissy?”

Kristin’s eyes widened in panic. “Zoey?—”

“Maybe someday,” I said calmly.

“I’m sorry,” Kristin mouthed.

I shrugged and brushed it off. Thankfully, Maddie and Luca’s house came into view. Kristin’s expected opposition to the couch switch-a-roo put us a little behind schedule, so the party at the edge of the water was already in full swing.

Steve and Maddie stoked the growing bonfire while Luca grilled hamburgers and hotdogs on the brick patio. Chase and Luna were playing fetch in the sand, and the kids immediately flocked to him. They smothered Luna with snuggles and kisses.

Kristin and I walked down the party hand-in-hand. The side door to the house was open, so I took a chance and pulled her inside.

“What the?—”

I pushed her into a closet and shut the door. “Talk to me.”

“But the kids?—”

“They’re fine. There are more adults than kids and they know everyone out there.” Even in the dark, I could see the anxiety radiating from her. “Let me have it, Kris. I can take it. Whatever you need to get off your chest, put it on me. Let me carry the worry for you. Lay it on me.”

She crashed into my arms, and I pulled her against my chest.

“I don’t deserve you,” she choked out. Her body shook, and I tightened my grip around her shoulders. “I can’t even give you sex because the kids are always around. Not that it matters. I’ll have no fucking clue what I’m doing when we finally do it. It’s been a freaking half-decade since I’ve had it.”

“Sunshine, if your biggest worry is that sex with you won’t be good, let me stop you right there. It’ll be good because it’s us. And when we finally get there—which I am really fucking excited about, by the way—it’ll be the right moment.”

She sniffed, then sighed. “You’re so patient and good to me and I have literally nothing to offer you. You spoil the shit out of me and the kids, and I can’t do that for you.” An exasperated laugh broke free from her chest. She ran a hand back through her dark hair and shook her head. “And Zoey goes off and runs her mouth about marriage, and you don’t get scared off by that. I’m starting to think you’re not even human.”

I smirked. “Oh, I plan on running the second I get out of here. I’m gonna change my name and move three states away.”

Kristin swatted my chest, but I caught her hand and laced our fingers together.

Smiling, I said, “Check your price tag. You’re not on clearance. You are top shelf, sweetheart.”

---