Page 117 of The Evening Wolves

“In the ’80s,” Aileen said, “we came up with something called phone sex.”

For a moment, John-Henry thought he’d blown an eardrum.

Aileen frowned at Nico. “Can’t you do that with FaceTime?”

“Who,” Emery asked like a man staring into the abyss, “is the ‘we’ in that sentence?”

That was when Jem officially died from laughing.

Before too long, Noah and Rebeca started packing up their kids. John-Henry and Emery walked them to the door.

“I’m sorry,” Rebeca said. “I’m sorry for everything that happened. I’m sorry we couldn’t help.”

“You weren’t even in town,” Emery said.

“But we’re still sorry,” Noah said.

“Thank you,” John-Henry said. “Things are going to work out. And thank you for tonight.”

Cora was next, with Nico on her heels. “You’re sure she can stay tonight? I can wake her up.”

“She and Lana are totally zonked. She’s fine.”

She kissed his cheek and said, “Happy birthday a day late.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too. And don’t forget we’re going to have a talk about Evie’s comment to my mom.”

“What’s that about?” Emery asked.

“Just wait,” John-Henry said.

Nico’s hug took him by surprise, and his hug with Emery lasted even longer.

“Next time he comes to town,” John-Henry said, “let’s double.”

Tears glittered in Nico’s lashes, but he smiled. “Yeah. Ok.”

“Better idea,” Emery said. “I’d love to have coffee with him.”

They could still hear Nico laughing as he walked down the sidewalk.

The Boones left next—after a lot of pleading from Ashley that he be allowed to spend the night. He brightened, though, when Emery told him again how much he liked the tactical pen.

“You’re such a softy,” John-Henry said as they trooped toward the truck.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” And then he caught his mother’s arm as she tried to sneak past. “Absolutely not.”

Aileen laughed as she put on her scarf. “I’m staying with June Louise tonight, bunny. We’re going to watch Dr. Zhivago and drink mulled wine.”

“One glass. More than that isn’t good for your heart.”

She kissed his cheek, kissed John-Henry’s cheek, and slipped out into the night.

As Emery and John-Henry started toward the living room, a knock came at the door.

“If Noah and Rebeca forgot a child, I’m donating it,” Emery said.

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