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The table erupts in laughter.
Since we’re all sitting together for lunch, we’re not a quiet bunch, but none of the other diners have been bothered enough to tell us to pipe down.
“You can come,” Telford answers before Carrie can say anything.
She glances across the table at me to confirm that it’s all right. It’s not ideal, since we’ve put an expiration date on what’s currently happening between us, but now that my best friend is married to Carrie’s sister, we’re inevitably going to cross paths for the foreseeable future.
“I’ll take you to the lab for a visit,” I offer because I’m curious to see Carrie in that environment.
“Today?” Kirby asks with joy flooding her expression.
“The lab is closed today,” Carrie tells her. “We can find a time next week for you to come. They’ll give you a visitor badge with your name on it at reception to wear around your neck.”
Kirby clamps a hand over Carrie’s forearm. “Seriously?”
Without asking anyone, Kirby claimed the empty chair that was between Carrie and Telford when Holden suggested we all sit together. While Holden and Milo dragged another table and a few chairs closer, Kirby made herself at home next to the woman I can’t take my eyes off of.
“Seriously,” Carrie assures her. “You can even take it home.”
With a giddy laugh, Kirby jumps to her feet and circles her arms around Carrie’s neck.
That hits me hard in a way I never could have anticipated.
I want more of this. I want my daughter to get to know this woman better, and dammit, I want that for me, too.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Carrie
“I love this little cat.” Kirby sighs as she nestles Cindy’s head close to her cheek.
The kitten has all the patience in the world. She’s been wrapped up in Kirby’s arms since she arrived here with her dad.
It was Posey’s idea to invite them back to view the mural. I thought I’d have at least the rest of the day to catch my breath after unexpectedly seeing Rook and meeting his daughter, but as soon as Kirby heard from Posey that there was a surprise for Abby, she wanted to see it.
“I won’t tell Auntie Abby about the storybook picture on the wall in that bedroom,” Kirby assures her dad for the third time since she viewed the mural. “I’m super good at keeping secrets.”
“You’re not,” Rook counters with a grin. “I have a feeling that Auntie Abby will see it as soon as she gets back from her trip.”
“Honeymoon,” Kirby corrects him, patting the empty spot beside her on the couch. “That’s what they call it when you get married and go on a trip.”
“Right,” he agrees with a sharp nod of his chin as he sits down close to her. “I think the cat could use a little me time, Kirbs.”
“She’s having me time.” She tugs Cindy even closer. “She’s with me, and you know you should call me Kirby, Daddy.”
That makes me smile. I haven’t been around children much, but this one in particular is amazing.
“Why do I feel like I’ve slipped down your list of best friends again?” Rook asks her.
She sighs so heavily that Cindy rears back to look at her face. “You’re in tenth spot now. Carrie is first, Telford is second, and oh, wait…”
“Posey is your third best friend?”
“Yeah, sorry, Daddy. That makes you number twelve.”
Grinning, Rook glances at me before he pats Kirby’s head. “I’ll take it.”
“Can Cindy have a sleepover tonight?” She asks with a plea in her eyes. “She can sleep in my bed. If she could talk, she’d tell me she wants to do it.”
