Page 35 of Tempting

Easton

We’re actually flying home in a few minutes. It was an afternoon game.

Kenzie

Have a safe flight, E. Love you.

Easton

Love you too.

Losing my mother early taught me many things, the most important of which is don’t take a single day for granted. Followed closely by make sure the people you love know you love them. Easton, Blaise, Jules, Becks, and I tell each other that often. Some might think too often, but Juliette and Becket made sure we never had any doubt, and for that, I’ll be forever grateful.

They made it look so easy back then.

The way they loved each other.

The way they loved us.

That’s the thought I have rattling around my mind when I knock on Lindy’s front door before letting myself in. My nephew, Griffin, runs to me on his long lanky legs. “Aunt Kenzie’s here!”

I scoop up the four-year-old and act like I’m going to drop him. “You’ve got to stop growing so fast, Griff. You’re getting too big. What are you, ten years old now?”

He shakes his shaggy brown hair back and forth. “I’m not ten, Aunt Kenzie. I’m four years old.”

“Four... What? I could have sworn you were in fourth grade. Not that you were four years old.” I tickle his sides as I carry him into the kitchen to find Lindy cutting chicken into tiny pieces while she wears my niece, Elizabeth, in one of those wraparound things that snuggles the tiny baby close to her. Little Miss Lizzy doesn’t like to be put down.

“Mom... Aunt Kenzie’s here,” Griff calls out as if we aren’t standing right across from her.

“I see, big boy. How about you get down and go wash up for dinner, please?” she asks him sweetly, and I hide my laugh.

“Hey, Lindy. Did you know that Griffin is only four years old, not in fourth grade?” I ask dramatically as I settle the little monkey on his feet.

“I’m a big boy. My class is all day this year,” he tells me excitedly. “Did you know next year, I’m going to be in kindergarten, but Lizzy won’t even be in preschool yet?” He hops up on the stool in front of the deep farmhouse sink in the kitchen while I move over to Lindy and press my lips to the top of Lizzy’s head.

“You can take her if you want. This is the witching hour. She insists on being held. If not, the whole damn street can hear her screaming.” I carefully take my tiny niece out of the soft carrier and watch the way her blue eyes pop open and widen when they try to focus on me.

“Hey, sweet girl,” I croon to my mother’s namesake. She’s the perfect little mix of Lindy and Easton, and I can’t wait to watch her grow. “Need any help?”

Lindy pours us each a glass of wine and pushes one my way. “Nope. Dinner is ready, the wine is delicious, and your brother won’t be back for hours. Now take a seat and fill me in on what’s happening in your life. I feel like I talk to you even less now that you’re home.”

She buckles Griffin into his booster seat and looks lovingly at Lizzy. “Do you want me to take her back?”

“I’ve got her. You eat.” I sit down next to Griffin and snuggle Lizzy a little tighter, breathing in her sweet baby scent. “Well, let’s see. I talked to Wren today, who apparently heard I was dating Nixon.”

Lindy’s mouth pops open. “Did you tell her you’re not?”

“I did, but not before she told Sawyer, who told Becket, who told freaking Juliette,” I moan. “Seriously, the Kingston family phone chain is off the damn rails, Linds. I’m surprised you didn’t get a text already.”

She smiles sheepishly, and I swear if I wasn’t holding Lizzy, I’d probably scream. “Tell me you’re kidding.”

“Wish I could. Mom texted me earlier, asking if it was true.” She runs her hand over Griff’s mop of hair.

“What did you tell her?” I screech softly. Didn’t know that was possible, but apparently it is.

“That you went as friends, but you didn’t look like friends on that dance floor.” Her big, blue eyes grow wide with excitement. “So tell me the truth. Is there something maybe, sort of going on with you two? Because the way that man looked at you... it was hot.”

“You’re reaching,” I tell her as I push a piece of chicken around on my plate.

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