Page 86 of Embers in Our Souls
“I doubt his back will be thanking him later,” Tyler says.
“Oh, it won’t.” Abby chuckles, as she pulls out a blanket. “But he’ll do that for as long as it makes her happy.” She smiles as she watches their retreating forms, her eyes showing nothing but love for them.
“I don’t doubt it,” Tyler says. “Noah, look what I brought.” He holds up a baseball and bat. “Want to practice your swing?”
“You brought it!” Noah jumps up.
“I promised I would, bud.” Tyler grins.
Noah starts running to the open part of the field. It’s hard to contain my own happiness in this moment.
“We’ll be right back.” Ty adjusts his baseball cap and gives me a sexy smirk. Right then, my eyes home in on his backside, Tyler chooses that very second to swing his gaze back to me and catches me staring me.
“Hey, Indy!”
I bring my eyes to meet his.
“My eyes are up here.” He laughs and I narrow my eyes in mock irritation.
I bring my focus back to Abby, who’s getting some items in order on the blanket, while Clay is still walking Ella around the park.
“Do you need any help?” I ask Abby.
“No, but thanks so much.” She smiles up at me. “It’s so nice to formally meet you after all I’ve heard. I remember seeing you briefly at the hospital, but we didn’t get to properly meet that day.”
“Oh? So, you’ve heard about me?” I can’t help the heat creeping up my cheeks.
“Are you kidding? These guys are worse than the tabloids.” She laughs. “Plus, I’m Marissa’s best friend. I saw you at the restaurant that night.” She winks and now I do feel my cheeks flame. The jealousy I was sporting that night wasn’t my finest moment.
“Oh.” I’m mortified. “I had no idea. I was a little off that night.” I try to cover up a bit, but fail.
“Indiana, you don’t have to explain. Marissa is one for a little drama. She will stir it up with the best of them. She knew exactly what she was doing. And it looks like she succeeded.” She gives me a pointed look, then she breaks out in a large grin. I can’t help but laugh.
Changing the subject, I admit, “I’ve interacted the most with Malloy out of everyone in the firehouse.”
She hums, nodding in acknowledgment. “I’m closest with Malloy, actually. We’re in book club together.”
“He mentioned something about a book club when he stopped by my office.”
“Really?” She scrunches her nose. “That’s random.”
“It seems that way, but he noticed a collection of books on my shelf. I happen to work with one of the authors he likes. He said you and someone named Kennedy were in book club with him,” I tell her.
“Yeah, we are. We take it very seriously. Baylee, his wife, is in it too. But school takes up a lot of her time, so she can’t be as dedicated as we are. Who was the author he saw on your shelf?”
“Ana Clevesky.” I smile.
“Are you serious? You know Ana Clevesky?” Abby gasps, dropping some of Ella’s toys.
I chuckle. “Yes, I do. She’s actually really down-to-Earth.”
“No way,” Abby says, “I can’t believe that. I follow her on my socials. I can’t believe you’ve met her. Hell, we loved her first book and I couldn’t stop reading the rest.”
“I’ll let her know. She’s a sweetheart. That will mean a lot to her.” I look over to see Noah hitting the ball. My eyes stay on Tyler as he patiently throws the ball to my son.
“Hunter’s a good guy. I don’t know him well, but he’s really become a part of our little family and I’m glad you’re with him,” Abby says. My smile grows and I swing my gaze back to her.
“I appreciate you saying that. It hasn’t been easy, but I’m glad we are together again,” I tell her. “I feel like it took years to get here.”
