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"I already loved you to the moon and back," Chloe said softly, close to my ear. "Now I love you to the stars and back."

And that was it. That was all it took.

We were both crying before she finished the sentence. Chloe pressed her face against my hair and I turned into her, the two of us close in that way we had always been, that went way back to being little girls sharing a bedroom, the way that didn't need explaining.

Olivia, apparently sensing that the emotional moment needed punctuation, began to fuss. Then escalated. Then announced her displeasure to the entire neighborhood at full volume.

"She's hungry," Zarek said, already on his feet, lifting her gently from my arms. "I've got her."

He disappeared toward the kitchen, and Chloe and I pulled each other close in the sudden relative quiet, still crying, still laughing, holding on like we always did, friends, sisters, our other’s half.

Chapter Twelve

This was not what I was expecting. I liked it. I liked it a hell of a lot. It just wasn’t what I’d been expecting.

“Uh-hm. Hey, can I help you? Or are you just going to perv on the owner half the day?”

I turned my head to see a man in his thirties, with wooden ear gauges and green hair. “Actually, I was planning on perving on Zoe all day. I was hoping to talk to her though.”

We both went back to looking at Zoe on a step ladder, in a pair of tight jeans, as she reached for some multi-colored candles.

“Well, at least you’re honest, and you have good taste. My name’s Ernie.” He held out his hand.

“Adam Beckett,” I replied as I shook his hand.

“Holy shit, are you the guy who delivered her baby on the side of the road?”

I nodded.

“Dude.” He clapped me on the back. “That… That was the best. The idea of our Zoe alone in a ditch in a blizzard. Giving birth. I mean that’s kind of typical. But that you came along and manned up, that was amazing. Thank you. Stay right here.”

He moved faster than I would have expected, and was soon joined by a woman who looked dressed for a board meeting. She was grinning from ear to ear. “Ernie told me that you’re the man who delivered Olivia. Thank you so much. Zoe gets herself in perilous situations from time to time, so it was fabulous that you showed up when you did.”

“Hey, Ernie!” Zoe hadn’t turned around; she was yelling at the wall.

“Yeah,” he yelled back.

“Hand me up some more candles. I want the taller ones, so they really show up.”

“Got you covered.” He turned back to me. “Duty calls.” Then he turned to the woman he’d brought out. “Leslie, he was perving on Zoe. Your mission is not to let him leave without making sure they set up a date.”

The blonde laughed. “Got it.”

Ernie jogged over Zoe’s way and Leslie turned to me. “My name’s Leslie Youngren. Ernie and I both report directly to Zoe, and then we manage any extra help she needs, which can be a lot when her online orders go crazy.”

“Hello.”

“So you’re the hero with the funny kid.”

I rubbed the back of my neck and grimaced. “I wouldn’t say hero, but I definitely agree to having a funny kid.”

“Where is he?”

“Right now he’s in a daycare that Carrie Lancaster recommended.”

“She’s good people, and she’d know what’s good.”

“Do you think your boss would have time for lunch or at least a cup of coffee?”