Page 54 of Call it Reckless

“Yeah, what was up with that? I’ve never seen you last less than twenty seconds on that thing. You must be gettin’ old,” another joked. “We gonna need to get you a walker for your next birthday?”

“Speaking of birthdays, doesn’t Lexi have one coming up?”

I nodded gratefully at Zane for changing the subject. He didn’t mind teasing me, but he knew when the line had been crossed.

Shane perked up. “She’s turning, what, eight? Nine?”

“Ten,” I answered with a grimace. “It hardly seems possible.” Six of those years without her mother.

“You having a party for her?”

I frowned. “I don’t know. She hasn’t asked, but it’s kind of milestone, isn’t it?”

Zane’s mouth twisted and raised his shoulders. “We had them for our kids, but then again, Kelly loves to throw parties. Maybe she could help you.”

“Yeah, maybe. Or maybe I’ll ask Em. She helped with one a few years ago.”

It was when Lexi turned five, her first birthday without her mom, and I’d have done anything to try to lift the gloom that had settled around us. We’d moved on as best we could, but other than Christmas, we hadn’t made a big “to-do” over much. Birthdays, hers and mine, came and went with just a family celebration, which included Em and Iain.

But now, Em and Zach were back together. I was thrilled for them, but it felt more intrusive to ask for help, even though I knew both of them would tell me I was being ridiculous. Em still invited us to dinner once a week, but I knew she tired easily now, so I didn’t accept as often.

“Mind if I join you?”

As if conjured, I looked up to see Zach standing near my chair.

“Hey, man. Come on, sit. Let me buy you a drink. Your wife just spilled the secret to the girls.” I leaned over to another table and grabbed a chair, pulling it next to mine.

“Thanks, man.”

“What secret? She can’t spill to them and you not tell us, too,” Joe complained.

Zach’s face lit up with one of the biggest grins I’d ever seen. “We’re having a baby.”

He was almost shy in the way he said it. I got it. He was well-liked here in Sterling Mill. He’d become a town hero not long after he arrived and had been welcomed with open arms when he chose to settle here permanently. But once in a while, it seemed he still acted as if it were all too good to be true.

The guys all gave the appropriate “congrats” and back slapping, and another round of drinks was ordered.

I sipped mine slowly. I never had more than two, period, so I made them last. I never knew when something would happen and Lexi, or anyone else for that matter, would need me.

Now that Zach had arrived, the conversation turned more general, and the next hour passed quickly. I was surprised when Zach stood and said he needed to take his bride home.

Sure enough, Em was standing at her table, looking happy and content, but tired. She gave everyone a hug and came over to our table. She gave me a hug and a loud smack on the cheek, making me laugh and causing Zach to growl teasingly and pull her possessively to his side.

I chuckled. We both knew there was nothing to worry about, but I loved that one of my best friends finally had someone else to have her back. They’d been through enough and had come out stronger for it.

“Most of the girls can walk back. Cam is spending the night with Teagan,” Em asked. “Can you take Bristol and Paige home? They shouldn’t be driving.”

“I’ll take them.” It would have been easier if I’d just let Zach do it, but I knew he wanted to make sure his wife got home and tucked into bed.

Em beamed while Zach held out his hand. “Thanks, man.”

“No problem.”

“Good night, Reid. Bring Lexi around in the afternoon. Iain misses her, and I thought I’d do a little rock painting to mix into the rest of the stones in the gardens my darling husband created for me.”

She batted her lashes up at Zach as she curled into his side. He rewarded her with a kiss that was a little more than what we all needed to see.

I slapped him on the arm. “Go. Take her home for that shit.”

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