Page 116 of The Route to You

“Hey, monkey.” He planted a kiss on her cheek as her arms wrapped around his neck. “You been waiting at the door for me?”

She gave an enthusiastic nod. “Can I bring Flutterwing?”

He glanced at the door, which Quinn had just stepped out of. “What did your mom say?”

“She said yes!” She gave a broad smile.

“Fibber.” Quinn gave a slow shake of his head. “Mummy said no because she doesn’t want you to lose her.”

“Pweeeeeeeease?” Tara clasped her hands, begging Quinn, her bright blue eyes looking physically pained at the idea of leaving her stuffed unicorn behind.

Elle came to the door, Charlotte resting against her hip. “No, baby. Flutterwing is safer here at home.”

“What if we promise to take good care of Flutterwing?” Kyle asked when Tara turned her pleading gaze to him.

“You’re a sucker, Kyle Winnick.” Elle glared at him, but her eyes held a smile.

Tara, who had decided that was good enough for her, climbed down from Kyle and bounded into the house. “Tara—” Elle said, turning and following her.

Kyle watched them go with a grin. “Don’t know how you do it,” Kyle said to Quinn with a shake of his head. “I feel like I’m physically incapable of telling her no.”

“And that’s why she’s spoiled rotten. She’s got every one of her aunts and uncles completely under her thumb. Aiden quite literally started searching for ponies for her when she asked him for one. With Isla’s full support.”

Kyle laughed because he could completely see Aiden doing something like that. “Well, I guess she’s a bit out of luck when it comes to me. The only pony I can afford is one that they sell in the Walmart toy aisle.”

“Speaking of which, how’s the . . .” Quinn held up his hands. “Sorry, mate. Bad habit.”

“Actually, I’ve come up with a new plan for a job,” Kyle said, crossing his arms.

Quinn’s expression turned with interest. “Oh really?”

“Yeah . . . I’m going to try to reboot Pathways . Or something like it, anyway, since Helixnet owns the IP. Davy sent me a helpful checklist of what I need to do to get started, so I’m looking through a list of potential sponsors.” He didn’t mention what a daunting list Davy had sent. Less than twenty-four hours in and he already felt overwhelmed.

“That sounds intriguing. Do you think any of your previous sponsors would be interested?”

Kyle gave a rueful smile. “I don’t know about that. We’ll see which of the wholesome sporting gear and adventure travel companies want to take on a scandalous YouTuber. I might have better luck branching out.”

“You should put out another statement to defend yourself. What have you got to lose? I still think you should consider litigation if it comes down to it. That congressman has every reason to want the situation to go away, and given his previous lies, you have a case for both slander and libel.”

Grimacing, Kyle squinted at him. “Litigation with that asshole sounds like a nightmare I don’t want to deal with. It’s all he-said-she-said unless Sloan decides she wants to be further publicly humiliated by providing the evidence she was given about Evan, and I’m not going to ask that of her.” Plus, what Davy had said was true. He was living with Sloan now. That wouldn’t help his case.

A beat of heavy silence followed, then Quinn nodded. “You’re a better man than most. I hope you know that.”

“Of course he doesn’t know that. If he did, he’d be arrogant, and then he’d stop being better,” Elle said from beyond the doorway as she joined them again. Tara darted out from behind her, a purple backpack now resting on her shoulders. “We packed Flutterwing.” She gave Kyle a sharp look. “Guard that unicorn with your life. Tara insists she can’t sleep without her.”

Tara skipped out toward Kyle, reaching for his hand. “Ready!” she announced, her dark curls bouncing.

Kyle waved goodbye to Quinn and Elle, dropped a kiss on Charlotte’s cheek, then headed toward his truck with Tara. “I’ve got a special surprise for you today,” he said as he lifted her into her car seat.

Her eyes went wide. “A sup-wiiiise? What supwise?”

He winked, checking the latch. “You’ll see.”

He shut the rear door, then slid into the driver’s seat, trying to forget about all the things that had been circling his brain since the night before. He owed it to Tara to be fully present, even if his mind felt crowded right now. Especially because those issues wouldn’t go away by dwelling on them.

“First,” he turned on the engine, “the playground. Then we’re going to get Happy Meals. Then we’re going to stop at a place and get some milkshakes to go. Finally, the surprise.” He flicked a glance at Tara through the rearview mirror. “So, for now, the big decision is, chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry.”

“Chocolate,” she said without hesitation.