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“Your first real kiss,” I blurt out. I scrub a hand across my forehead, trying to wipe the thought of that last one away.
“Greg Donovan. Under the bleachers at a football game. Your favorite dessert.”
“Cheesecake. Dream job?”
“Helping kids out of the foster system. Do you like what you do for work?”
“Love it. How many people have you had sex with?”
“Four. Is there anyone you really dislike?”
“Mr. Mitchell, our next-door neighbor when Ryan and I were little. He still has the airplane I shot into a tree in his yard. Would you still be with Shane if he hadn’t cheated?”
“Yes, probably. Beach or lake?”
“Lake. Mountains or desert?”
“Mountains. Why did you like the roller coaster so much?”
“Because it tore me apart and then it put me back together again. Can you swim?”
“Like a fish. Would you ever go skydiving?”
“Not even if somebody paid me. Favorite fruit?”
“Strawberries.” She stops and stares at me for a moment. Then her eyes narrow and she says clearly, “Why did you and Nicky break up?”
“She did something that I couldn’t get over.” I scoot closer to her on the bench. “Why do you shut me out?”
No hesitation in her answer. “Because I’m scared. Did you love Nicky or her kids more?”
No hesitation in my answer, either. “Her kids, and she knew it. That’s why she dumped me. What would it take for you to let me in all the way?”
“Time. Would you ever consider adopting?”
“Wouldn’t even have to consider it. Yes. Have you ever had sex in public?”
“Not yet. Are you over Nicky?”
I stare at her, willing her to believe me. “Yes.”
Anna and Devon run over just as Alex and Mel step out of the shadows. “We’re tired,” Anna says.
“We should go.” I get up and pick Roxy up, spinning her around like an airplane. We go back to the bus, do a round of diapers, and settle everyone in their car seats with something to drink.
Wren holds up two game controllers. “Wanna play?” she asks me. She shifts nervously.
“Sure.” I start a movie for the kids on the other TV
, and then I lean over and kiss Wren on the lips. It’s quick and quiet and comfortable. “Can we come back to some of those questions later?” I ask.
“No. What happens in the game stays in the game.”
I nod and settle back against the seat, but my head is still reeling.
Wren
I wake up the next day with Mick wrapped around me. It has become my favorite way to wake up. He’s warm and cuddly, and he snuffles lightly in my ear. I roll over and stare at him. I think he’s still asleep, but I can’t tell. I kind of like these unguarded moments when he’s vulnerable, because it feels like we’re more on a level playing field.
