Page 34 of Our Chaotic Love Affair

Some leggy woman in LA was not my competition because I was not competing. I was in a category entirely my own, and anyone who didn’t see that could honestly fuck all the way off.

I lifted my chin and finished my wine. Good food. Good wine. Great company. These were the things that mattered.

After dinner we migrated back to the beach, where someone had started a fire. Kent and Sylvie settled in with the baby monitor, Tiana already asleep upstairs, but they didn’t last long. Sylvie’s eyes were drooping within the hour, and Kent had her up and inside within minutes. A good man taking care of the mother of his child.

That left five of us. Finn showed no signs of slowing down.

“Okay, baby names,” he announced, cracking another beer. “This is an important conversation. Have we had this conversation?”

“We’re not naming the baby after a car,” Austin said, which suggested this wasn’t actually the first time.

“I haven’t said a car yet.”

Austin shrugged. “You’re about to.”

“I’m going to say Spork first.” Finn held up a hand. “Hear me out. Spork. Gender neutral. Completely unique.”

“It’s cutlery,” I said with a look of pure disgust.

Finn shook his head. “I’m sure there’s another meaning for it.”

“It sounds like Spok,” Melody said.

“What about Tuna?” Finn offered. “That’s a name that commands a room.”

“That’s a name that gets a child thrown in a locker,” Melody said.

“Kids are resilient. Maserati,” Finn declared. “Final answer. Maserati Bancroft.”

Austin opened his mouth.

“Actually,” Kent’s voice drifted out from the patio door. “Maserati Bancroft doesn’t sound half bad.” He disappeared back inside before anyone could respond.

We all looked at each other.

“It really doesn’t,” Finn said solemnly.

“We’re not naming our kid Maserati” Austin said with a sigh.

Finn finished his beer and stood up, stretching. “I’m out. Early flight. Goddess to prepare for.” He pointed finger guns at Austin and Melody. “Think about Maserati. Sleep on it.” He pointed at Cash. “Don’t be boring in Rome.” He pointed at me. “You. Still undecided on you.”

“Likewise,” I said pleasantly.

He grinned and headed up to the house.

Austin and Melody followed shortly after, Melody yawning into his shoulder, Austin’s arm around her waist. “Cash, can you get the fire?” Austin asked over his shoulder.

“Yeah.”

“Night, Cleo.” Melody blew me a kiss.

“Night.” I watched them go.

And then it was just Cash and me and the low-burning fire. He looked at me across the flames. I could see him debating what to say.

I beat him to it. “Rome is a bad idea.”

He didn’t even blink. “It’s a good idea.”