I smiled at my girl.
I tossed my cell in my beach bag, grabbed the handles, moved around the counter in my flip-flops and replied, “Pool.” Then I shouted, “Bud! Light a fire under it!”
Bud ran into the room in his trunks and a tee.
Bobbie corralled her kids.
We walked out of my apartment and headed to the pool.
Once I was lounging, I called Mitch to tell him about my phone call from Tack. He made no comment (though he did give me heavy silence for a moment) and then he shared that he was at the attorney’s office handing off the papers Bill signed.
I looked at the kids horsing around in the pool.
“They’re yours, sweetheart,” Mitch said softly in my ear.
They were.
My soul sighed.
“Hurry home tonight,” I said softly back. “Casa Bonita. Bray and Brent confirmed though they did it under protest and informed me they’ll be wearing disguises because if any of their g*y posse sees them in Casa Bonita they’ll get kicked out of the club. Tess called and told me she, Brock and the kids are meeting us there. So are Kenny and his kids. LaTanya and Derek are following us.”
“Got it.”
“We’ll be ready when you get home.”
“Got it.”
“We still on for those viewings with the real estate agent on Saturday?” I asked.
“Yep,” he answered then threw out his own question. “You sittin’ by the pool right now in a bikini?”
“Yep,” I answered.
“Fuck,” he muttered.
I grinned.
My man thought I was hot.
“I’m also covered in suntan oil,” I shared.
I heard that sound I knew and loved come from deep in his chest, Mitch’s immensely attractive chuckle.
Then he said, his voice deep and vibrating with his laughter, “Mara.”
I closed my eyes.
That was mine.
Mine.
A life ahead of me with a beautiful, good man who said my name often with his deep voice vibrating with laughter.
And again, my soul sighed.
“Auntie Mara!” Billie yelled. “Come dunk me!”
I opened my eyes.