Page 84 of Jay Bird

Willow was laughing so hard she had tears in her eyes.

“I’m sorry.”

“No, you’re not,” Jay Bird said, grinning.

Jay Bird scooped Lily up. “Listen, peanut. I’m gonna need you to work on that one before you announce to everyone that Jay likes bitches.”

That made Willow laugh even harder.

Lily pointed enthusiastically. “Water!”

“Yeah, that is better. Let’s stick with water.”

He kissed the side of her head and set her back down.

Lily took off after a seagull.

Jay Bird immediately called, “Don’t touch the bird!”

Willow leaned against his arm, still laughing.

Jay Bird looked down at her.

“You enjoying yourself?”

She smiled up at him. “I really am. Everyone’s been wonderful.”

“Told you.”

She glanced toward the restaurant. “It’s strange.”

“What is?”

“Having this many people around and there’s no real drama.”

Jay Bird laughed. “You’ve clearly missed some of the arguments.”

“No, I saw Amira tell Bear that he was ruining her life because he wouldn’t let her order another dessert.”

“Standard family drama.”

Willow smiled. “That’s what it feels like.”

“What’s that?”

“A family. Just a really big, loud, slightly insane one.”

“Yep.”

They walked slowly along the water while Lily darted several feet ahead, chasing seagulls that were smart enough to remain safely out of toddler range.

Willow’s smile faded into something more thoughtful. “She’s never done this before.”

Jay Bird looked at her. “The beach?”

She nodded, her eyes following Lily. “She was born in that compound. Even when Chen moved us somewhere else, she was always behind walls.”

Jay Bird’s jaw tightened.