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“Okay. Remember you said that Willa’s butterfly event was canceled because the kids were sick? Well, one of the guys is organizing something similar for his kid and he invited other team members’ kids to join in. Not that Willa’s my kid or anything but it’s this Friday and I wondered?—”
“Oh my God, yes! Are you kidding?”
“You thought I was going to take her to a club or something, didn’t you?”
“No!” Maybe? “I just needed the details. Sorry to be such a mom about it.”
“I love that you’re a mom about it. That’s important. Not enough parents think about those kinds of things.”
The still-living ghost of Dex’s mother made an appearance.
“This isn’t something tentative, is it? I don’t want to get her hopes up only to have them dashed.”
“It’s happening. But maybe don’t tell her and we can surprise her? Well, I’ll leave that to you to decide.”
Willa was going to love it. “I think surprising her would be awesome. And this is a group thing? Who else will be there?”
“Bren St. James’s daughter Franky—she’s a fan of slugs, which I didn’t know was a thing with its own fandom until yesterday. Remy and Harper’s twins, Giselle and Amelie. They’re seven, I think. Maybe a few others? It’ll be small. We’ll have the whole place to ourselves, get pizza in, the works.”
Was he serious? “You’d stay overnight with the kids?”
“If that’s okay.”
“Of course it is! Just didn’t think sleeping bags and pizza parties were your thing.”
He chuckled. “Neither did I, but I’m guessing everyone has the capacity to embrace new things.”
God, that was so sweet. “Thanks, Dex. She’s going to be over the moon.”
“Good. Whatever it takes to get in with her mom.”
She giggled. That’s what he did to her, turned her into a giggler. “You’re already in. No need to use my kid, but I think it’s sweet that you’re thinking of her.”
“She’s a good kid. And I know she was disappointed about the trip.”
And her dad being so neglectful. But Ashley had to be careful about relying on Dex as a replacement. This was fun for him—now. It wasn’t real life.
“You should rest. But don’t fall asleep.” Yet again, she was hung up on who was going to take care of him. She hated that she was a thousand miles away.
But it wasn’t her job to look after him. He was a valuable asset to the team. They’d be all over it, though it wasn’t the same as having the personal touch of a friend. Or more.
“I’ll be back in Chicago early tomorrow morning. Think you might want to check in on the patient?”
“If he needs a nurse.”
“Oh, he will.”
From the other room, her daughter yelled, “Mom! Those New York jerks scored!”
“You hear that? She wants to fight dragons in your honor.”
His chuckle was soft. “Such a sweetheart. Listen, the doc’s here for another checkup. I’d better go, but I’ll text tomorrow, okay?”
“Okay,” she said, not quite believing her life right now. “But text anytime, if you need to stay awake or just want someone to talk to.”
“Okay. Night, Ash.”
“Night, Dex.”
