Page 24 of Lucky Strike

“Thank you, Christoph.”

“My pleasure.” We walk through a small gate and onto a large patio, where there’s a table and chairs on one end and a fire pit with built-in seating on the other. A small herb garden sits beside a sandbox full of shovels and toys.

I follow Christoph through a pair of French doors and into the living room where Nola interviewed me. The TV is on, and Conlan’s on the couch with a little boy, the coffee table covered in Legos, animals, and action figures. Two dogs lie at their feet, one a rich chestnut color, the other a cool, blue gray. Pit bulls. I’m reminded briefly of the Kellys’ Huskies way back when, what a part of the family they were. “Thanks, Chris,” he says, rising. The dogs rise, too.

“Sure thing.” Christoph waves at the little boy, who is an echo of his father down to the pouty mouth and silky, black curls. “How’s it going, Liam?”

“It’s going goooood,” Liam says, still focused on his blocks.

Conlan gives him a gentle nudge. “Look at Mr. Christoph when you talk to him, buddy.”

Liam pushes two Legos together before giving the man in front of him his full attention. “Hi, Mr. Christoph!”

Christoph grins, giving him a fist bump. “I’ll be off, then.” He closes the door behind him, leaving me alone with the Kellys.

“Bria.” Conlan dips his chin, barely sparing me a glance. “Glad you could come.”

“Of course.” The reddish dog chuffs, nosing me as I sink to my knees at the coffee table. “Hi, Liam. I’m Bria. It’s nice to meet you.”

He stares at me for a moment, his big, bright eyes as blue as swimming pools. He’s a beautiful child, but that’s no surprise.

“Liam,” prompts Conlan.

“Hi, Bria,” murmurs Liam, chewing on his finger.

“Bria’s my friend,” Conlan says, his eyes flickering to mine for a split-second before he comes to kneel beside his son. Removing the boy’s finger from his mouth, he tucks him into his side and gives him a little tickle. “She wanted to meet you so she could become your friend, too.”

“I’d love to be your friend,” I say. Reaching into my bag, I pull out a small, stuffed dinosaur I got from the store last night. “And so would this guy.”

Liam’s eyes light up, and he darts forward, snatching the toy.

“I heard you were a dinosaur expert,” I explain, pleased. I’m not above bribery in certain situations. “I figured you’d give this guy a good home.”

“I am an expert,” he says, nodding. “This is a brachiosaurus. They have long necks because they were herb-i-vores and they had to get food from tall trees. I like them, and I like triceratopses. But my favorite dinosaur is the velociraptor.”

I blink, impressed with his pronunciation. “They are very cool. Are?—”

“You wanna see? I have seven. Seven velociraptors.”

Conlan smiles, swinging Liam into his arms as he stands. “You can show Bria your collection after brunch. Did you thank her for your new brachiosaurus?”

“Thank you,” Liam says dutifully, eyes glued to his new toy.

“Come on, let’s eat. Nola’s waiting for us,” his father says, turning to go. “She made your favorite.”

“Pizza?”

I follow them out of the room, somewhat fascinated by this version of Conlan. The last time I saw him was at my high school graduation where he flirted drunkenly with me until Tristan reminded him of his girlfriend back in Belfast, where he was going to university.

Doesn’t look like that’ll be a problem these days, though. Conlan Kelly’s a successful businessman and doting single father with no interest in the likes of me. I’m glad.

“Bria.” Nola greets me with a pleased smile as we enter the kitchen, where sweet and savory smells mingle deliciously. “I’msoglad you came today. We’ve quite the spread, so go on and take a seat, yeah?”

I fidget, looking over the mess on the counter. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

“You can sit,” she says with a smile. “Coffee, tea, or orange juice? We have fresh squeezed.”

“Coffee, please.” My stomach grumbles as I take in the bacon and eggs, sausage and fresh fruit, fried tomatoes, buttered toast, jams, syrup, and pots of honey. Goodness. “I love French toast,” Liam says, staring longingly at a stack covered in powdered sugar and strawberries.

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