heartbroken Kingston. Now I’m Kingston Bailey, the smoke jumper. It’s freeing. But because Stella left and never really came back much, she’s never had an opportunity to shake it off.
“Don’t worry, they’re just curious,” I say.
“Curious of what mess I’ll leave behind me again.”
We reach the front pews and I’m thankful to see Liam and Wyatt there. All the rest of my family are farther down, huddled together at the end of the aisle.
“Funny, I haven’t seen you two without a stained shirt in a long time.” I purposely sit us behind them. They can all be in the front row.
“Just wait until you have a baby,” Wyatt says.
“He probably already does,” Liam jokes.
I glance quickly at Stella, who says nothing.
Lucky for me, crying commences in the back and it’s like each baby must have its own cry, because Liam holds up his hands. “Not it.”
Wyatt stands. “That’s Lance.” He heads down the side aisle.
Liam turns around in the pew, his suit a contrast to everything he normally portrays. “So, Stella, doctor huh? Now you two can play doctor and patient for real now.”
“So, Savannah, huh?” Stella asks. “She finally gave in to you.”
Liam and I laugh.
“Touché,” Liam says. “But you guys are Buzz Wheel news now. You missed when I was front page news. Once you’ve been outed, it’s like being recruited into a fraternity.”
“You and Savannah were making out in a car like you wanted to get caught,” I remind him.
A cocky grin splashes on his face as though he’s remembering it all over again. “The good ol’ days before night feedings. I will say though, your sister’s tits look fantastic in the dress she’s wearing.”
I roll my eyes. “Thanks for the warning. I’ll make sure to keep eye contact with her.”
Stella laughs next to me. “I see nothing’s changed since I’ve been away.”
She crosses her legs and her high heel dangles off her painted toes. My gaze takes a journey up her firm leg, imagining if she were mine so I could have them wrapped around my waist.
“It’s Lake Starlight. Not much changes.” Liam glances toward the back. “Seriously though, a doctor. That’s impressive. Congrats. After your residency, where do you see yourself settling down?”
Stella clears her throat, and I look at her intently, trying not to seem eager for her answer. Could she be back in Alaska for good?
She wiggles in her seat. “I’m not sure yet.”
Liam nods. “You know Lake Starlight needs our own doctor, right? After Dr. Coleman retired and moved to Maine, people have to go to Greywall now.”
“My mom mentioned something about that.”
“So if you open a family practice, it’d be an instant success.” Liam smiles.
Dr. Coleman retired two years ago, so I’m not sure what Liam is trying to get at. Sure, if Stella wanted to start a practice here she’d be successful, but even I know that’s a long way off.
“I’ll think about it,” she says as if Liam offered her the job.
“Oh shit, it’s about to start.” Liam nods toward the back of the room.
Stella weaves her head, bobbing to get a view, and I realize I’m blocking her.
“Here. Switch spots,” I say, standing, but she stands too and so I sit.
Both of us change course so many times, I end up sliding over and she sits down right on my open palm. Her ass is in my hand and I resist the urge to flex my fingers. Do not feel her ass without permission.
“Sorry.” I slide my hand out.
She glances at me, biting her full lip, before turning her attention to the center of the room, where Savannah, Brooklyn, and Holly all walk the babies down the aisle.
Wyatt returns to his pew with Grandma Dori, sliding in right in front of Stella. She reaches back and squeezes Stella’s hand, and Stella smiles as if she’s just as excited as Grandma Dori to see Juno get married.
My two sisters and Holly all come and stand near the pew, rocking their babies, who are more interested in their mothers’ necklaces and earrings than anything that’s going on around them. The music continues as Phoebe and Dion walk down the aisle. Dion’s almost dragging Phoebe, who’s suddenly shy and not moving. Rome steps out of the pew to go help.
Harley slides in next to me, carefully because of her belly. “I knew she was going to freeze. She’s not like Calista.” Her forehead falls to my shoulder.
Rome squats in front of the preacher and waves at Phoebe to come to him.