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“Wow,” I said, my eyebrows perking up. “That looks way too pretty to eat.”
The baker frowned irritably. “After all the work I put into this sucker, you better eat every fucking bite.”
“Damn,” I murmured, lifting my eyebrows at her for such sass. “You kiss my brother-in-law with that filthy mouth, little girl?”
She laughed and winked at me. “The dirtier I talk, the more he likes it.”
While I chuckled in appreciation, Chloe finally straightened from the floor with Brooks on her hip. “I want to see,” she said as she stepped around me.
Trick’s newly wedded bride turned to show off her masterpiece to my wife.
“Oh my God, Kennedy.” Chloe sucked in a shocked breath. “Just when I think you can’t make anything more spectacular, you surprise me again.”
Her sister-in-law blushed at the praise. “Thank you. I thought it turned out pretty good too.”
“That’s not pretty good; it’s amazing,” I assured.
It looked exactly like a Dr. Seuss hat with red and white stripes. The frosting had this fabric-like texture that made it look as if it were made of felt. There were evenseamswith little red stitches in them.
I was tempted to reach out and touch it just to be sure, but I thought that might get me into trouble, so I managed to refrain.
“So where do you want me to set it?” Kennedy asked.
“Oh, right in here on the head table would be great, thanks,” Chloe said, showing her into the room that we’d already decorated with red and white balloons and streamers.
“Wow. This place looks amazing,” Kennedy praised after she set down her realistic-looking cake and started to gape at the decorations. “I can’t wait for the party. I just love little kid birthday parties.”
I exchanged a glance with Chloe, and I knew exactly what she was thinking. My bleeding-heart wife just wanted to hug the other woman since we were well aware that Kennedy hadn’t gotten a lot of birthday parties thrown for her when she was growing up.
“So Trick didn’t come with you?” Chloe asked, changing the subject because I could tell she was going to get emotional and sympathetic if she didn’t. Motherhood had softened her emotionsa lot. When she thought someone was in pain these days, I swear she felt itwiththem.
And it had turned her into one of the most attentive, generous, loving moms I’d ever seen. Just like I was, my boy was destined to be a huge, raging mother lover when he grew up. And I couldn’t blame him one bit.
“Hmm?” Kennedy asked, tearing her attention away from the balloon arch and adding, “Oh! No, he had to stop by Julian’s and help him move some appliance or another, but he’s on his way now. And ooh…!” Her eyes brightened with excitement as she clapped her hands eagerly. “Guess what? Trick thinks Julian’s finally met someone.”
“What?!” Chloe shrieked in surprise and rushed forward, her eyes wide. “No way! Why does he think that?”
“Well…” Kennedy flushed and cringed before admitting, “Julian was acting…different, and when Trick guessed that he’d recently had sex, Julian didn’t exactly deny it.”
“Way to go, Julian,” I cheered. “It’s about damn time he moved forward.”
“Oh wow…” Chloe murmured, setting a hand over her mouth. “I hope it’s true. It’s been four, long miserable years for him. He could use someone to make him happy.”
“Trick seems to thinkwhoevershe is, she must be pretty important to Julian because he’s being all quiet and protective about her. And, I mean, you know how perceptive Trick is about these things, so he’s probably right.”
“It’s fucking irritating how spot on he usually is,” I agreed with a grumble.
To which Kennedy laughed and agreed, “Right?” When her phone rang, she glanced at it and lit up happily. “And there he is,” she said. “He probably knew I was talking about him. Hey…” she answered, immediately forgetting about Chloe, Brooks, and me as she walked into the other room to talk to her husband.
“God, she is so gone for him,” Chloe murmured, shaking her head. “It’s freaking adorable.”
“It’s freaking weird,” I countered. “I mean, anyone who’sthatcrazy in love with Trick probably needs her head examined.”
Chloe glanced at me. “He’s good for her,” she murmured softly.
I sighed and stepped forward to wrap both her and my son in my arms. “I know,” I said. “I keep forgetting what she came from and crack stupid, inappropriate jokes. Sorry.”
“You’re fine.” Chloe leaned up and kissed my cheek. “Your inappropriate joking is one of the many reasons I love you.”
