Page 25 of Verdict

Walker shot off the couch and stuck his face next to mine in the screen. “She what?!”

Ava’s brows pinched together. “She said she wanted to tell us something. Why do you look all twitchy?”

“He does, doesn’t he?” I egged her on.

“That little traitor,” Walker declared.

I dropped my head back in laughter.

“Traitor?” Ava’s confusion only grew.

“Your brother may have leaked some information to me earlier.”

She scoffed. “Of course he did. That dude can’t keep his mouth shut to save his life. Worst secret keeper ever.”

“Okay, first of all—rude. And second of all, I’m great at keeping secrets. I never told anyone about that time when you were fifteen and laughed so hard during a movie, you peed your pants, and then tried to cover it up by spilling water on yourself.”

Ava groaned. “You just told Cohen. Right now.”

“That doesn’t count!” Walker pointed at Ellie. “Anyway, the baby leaked it.”

Ava placed her hand on her chest, feigning offense. “I know you did not just blame my perfect angel!”

Walker stomped back toward the couch, mumbling something about Farrah being in trouble when he got home.

“Just let Farrah tell you,” I said, chuckling as I glanced over at Walker pouting on my couch.

Ava narrowed her eyes. “All right. Fine. Well, give Ellie a kiss from me, and I’ll be home around five.”

Home.

That word—from her… yeah. It felt too good.

Chapter 7

Ava

The four of us settled into a booth at Primrose Slice after spending the morning riding horses. It had been at least a decade since all of us had been together on horseback.

Patty Leroy, the owner of Primrose Slice, greeted us with menus and water. “The James sisters and the King sisters. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

Addison grinned. “Ava’s in town for the day to finally ride some horses for me.”

Patty smiled. “Good to see you, Ava.” She turned to Farrah. “Since you finally came to your senses and married that fine-as-hell baseball husband of yours, when are you going to hook up your sister with some of his former teammates?” She nodded toward Aria.

I smirked behind my menu at the same time Aria choked on her water, Addison snickered, and Farrah’s face turned a pretty shade of pink as she slumped down in the booth.

Patty’s eyes landed on me. “Speaking of baseball husbands… are you at least playing house with that sexy baby daddy of yours?”

“Not at the moment, Patty. I’ve got my hands full with my daughter. I don’t need a man to complicate my life,” I countered.

Patty narrowed her eyes. “We all have needs, honey.”

I snorted. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks, Patty.”

“What about Dean’s friends? Why does it need to be Walker’s old teammates?” Addison asked, feigning offense. She loved to rile Patty up.

“Dean’s friends are all animals. He’s hot—but he’s a vet,” Patty replied, matter-of-fact. “Anyway, you girls want the usual?”