Page 91 of Win Big

“I didn’t know. I’m sorry.”

I shrug. “It’s fine. I know I have responsibilities to the team. But I’d promised him I’d be there, and Heather needed help with a rowdy bunch of five- and six-year-olds. We changed the time of the party, so I managed to do both.”

She eyes me over her coffee cup. “Owen must be very special to you.”

“I know what you’re thinking. Heather is just a friend. Actually, her husband was my friend.” I pause, my throat squeezing as it often does when I think about Hank. “He was my best friend. He died a couple of years ago.” I cough. “So I help Heather and Owen.”

Her eyes warm and her mouth softens. “I’m sorry. What happened to him?”

I give my head a sharp shake. “Rather not talk about it.” The air in the room has grown heavy and thick. “You know what they say... life is short. So smile while you still have teeth.”

She laughs, but I can see she’s still thoughtful.

We make the short drive to Heather’s place and park in front of her little bungalow, Spanish-style stucco with a red tile roof.

“Should I wait here?” Everly asks.

“No, come in. You should meet Heather.”

She follows me up the sidewalk. The yard is getting overgrown. I should come trim back some of these shrubs. I ring the doorbell and Heather opens the door as Owen zooms up behind her and skids to a stop in his sock feet. “Wyatt’s here! Wyatt’s here!”

“Hey, buddy!”

“Come in!” Heather beams a smile at me. Then her gaze lands on Everly behind me and her smile disappears.

I step inside and take Everly’s hand, tugging her into the small foyer too. When I look back at Heather, the smile is back, dimmer but determined. “Hello...”

“Heather, this is Everly. Everly, my friend Heather, and... my best little buddy, Owen.”

“Nice to meet you,” Heather says, extending a hand. “Everly Wynn, right?”

“Yes. Nice to meet you too.” They shake hands. Everly turns to Owen. “And nice to meet you, Owen.”

“Hi.” He studies her intently. Kids.

“Everly’s going to come to the zoo with us, buddy.”

“Okay.”

“Here’s your backpack,” Heather says, now frowning faintly.

“I don’t wanna take my backpack.”

“I’ll carry it, bud,” I say. “Sunscreen? Hat? Water?”

“Check, check, check,” Heather says, smiling again. Her gaze darts between me and Everly and I sense the curiosity on both their parts.

Heather’s a beautiful woman—long golden-blond hair, big blue eyes. I know this, but I’ve never been attracted to her. She was married to my best friend. I hope Everly isn’t jealous, because there’s no reason to be.

And I hope Heather likes Everly. Owen too.

“Okay, the zoo closes at five today, so we’ll be back around then.”

Heather nods. “Sounds good. Have fun!” She hugs Owen, who then hurtles down the sidewalk toward my SUV.

Owen chatters about the animals he wants to see at the zoo, entertaining us. At least, Everly seems entertained, laughing and asking Owen questions with what seems like genuine interest.

We approach the entrance, Owen skipping along.

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