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IRIS
We eat, we drink, and we laugh—a lot.
I look over at Christy at one point, and she raises her glass to me in a silent toast to this thing we’ve built together. We marvel all the time about what it’s become and how important it is to all of us.
“How are things?” I ask her.
“This has been a good week. The kids haven’t had any catastrophes, which means I haven’t either.” Christy has two young teens who’ve had a difficult time since their dad, Wes, died of an aortic dissection more than three years ago.
“Glad to hear it. How’s the new guy?”
“Eh, I don’t think it’s going to happen.”
“Really? I thought you really liked this one.”
“I do, but he’s not sure he can take on teenagers on an everyday basis.”
“Did he say that?”
“In so many words, and hell, I can’t blame him. I’d like to sell them to the circus most days.”
“I hate to hear that. I liked him for you, and I haven’t even met him.”
“I liked him for me, too. We’re taking a break before it goes any further. He said he wants to think, and I’m giving him space. I mean, he’s never been married or had kids, so we’re a lot for him to take on.”
“You’re amazing, and he’d be lucky to have you.”
“I know that, and you know that. We just need to convince him.”
“Don’t work too hard to convince him of what’s right in front of his face, okay?”
“I won’t. Enough about me. How are you holding up?”
“Amazingly well, all things considered.”
She uses her chin to gesture to Gage, who’s talking to Derek. “I’m sure he’s been abighelp.”
“You sound like Wynter,” I tell her, laughing.
Wynter’s eyes light up with delight. “Big hands, big feet, big—”
Christy’s hand over Wynter’s mouth stops her from finishing that thought.
“I’m just sayin’,” Wynter says, her words muffled by Christy’s hand.
I shake my head and laugh. “She’s incorrigible.”
“There’s nothing like a big dick to make anything better,” Wynter adds.
“I cannot with her,” I say to Christy, who’s helpless with laughter.
“What did she say?” Gage asks, tuning in to our conversation.
“Don’t ask. You do not want to know.”
Wynter pushes her tongue against her cheek, which sets Christy off again.
“Don’t laugh at her! You’ll only encourage her.”
