With a lot of grunting and swearing of her own, Kara came through the front door and made her way into the kitchen. She dropped an armful of grocery bags on the floor and looked up at me with her hands already raised as if I was pointing a gun at her. “I got your messages. I know you’re pissy about Isaac, but it’s fine. He’s such a good guy, Mallory. And it’s not like you have to marry him. I’m just asking that you talk to him.”
I glared at Tyler and then sighed. “Fine. I’ll talk to him.”
“I’m serious, Mal. He’s the nicest guy. And so handsome. He’s—” She cut herself off. “Wait, what?”
“I said I’ll talk to him. I’m not wearing that stupid dress you picked out for me, though. I’ll look like a whale in it.”
“We’ll see about that.”
“You know most people get a big win and then back off with the little battles.”
“I just figure if I got you on the big battle, why wouldn’t I try for the little ones?” She grabbed my face in her hands and leaned into me. “And don’t you dare talk about yourself like that. You’re beautiful.”
Groaning, I focused on feeding Hank and trying to brace myself for what was sure to be a long day. “Beautiful enough to convince you to calm this thing down?”
Kara snorted. “You know better than that.”
By the time the party started, I was in the dress she’d picked out. My hair and makeup had to be done to match, of course, according to my sister, and heels were somehow going to make my ass look magnificent. For my one-year-old’s birthday party. Fighting Kara about it all had been too overwhelming, so I’d just given in and then settled into a chair at the kitchen table with Tyler next to me while guests that I didn’t know moved through the house.
That wasn’t completely true, however. I recognized some of the women from seeing them around Kara’s before. They were basically strangers, though. Still, they all brought Hank a gift and talked to me about how cute he was. Hank was swept into Kara’s arms pretty much right away, and she carried him around the house like he was next in line for the throne.
Kids ran through the house at max speed, their screams piercing my ears and making my brain hurt. I looked over at Tyler and sighed. He was staring around his house with an expression of exhaustion clear on his face. He’d done too much in helping set up for the party.
“Sorry about your house.”
He turned his head to me and snorted. “Sorry about your dress.”
I sighed louder. Running my hand down the silky material, I tried not to imagine the way it clung to my curves. Since having Hank, I felt like there were curvier than they should’ve been. “Your wife is a pain in the ass.”
“Your sister is.”
I nodded. “Yeah.”
“Should we sneak out to the shed and smoke like we used to?”
I laughed, a hundred different memories flooding my brain. Tyler had been in my life for so long that he was like a true brother. We’d spent so many nights getting high in the shed out back that it was almost tradition. That was before Hank, though. “Ugh. I’m a mom now.”
“Moms get high. Just ask Kara.” He leaned in and wagged his brows conspiratorially. “I have the medical grade shit. Cancer shit.”
“You’re a terrible influence.”
“Does that mean yes?”
I patted his cheek and shook my head. “Unfortunately, I’ve turned into a boring square. I stick to the straight and narrow these days. No drinking, no drugs, no—”
“Sex.”
“Fun.” I rolled my eyes at him and fought the childish urge to give into him and race out to the shed. It hadn’t been easy living like a nun since I’d found out I was pregnant with Hank, that was for sure.
Kara popped up at that moment with a giant smile on her face. “Mallory! He’s here!”
I winced.
“Stop that! Fix your face and push up your boobs. You look great!” Kara, bouncing Hank against her hip, glanced over her shoulder and then broke out in a welcoming grin. “Isaac! You made it!”
I looked up, expecting to see anyone but who I saw. Julian. Or Isaac, I guess. My blood all rushed to my face as I took him in. He was just as tall and strong as I remembered. I’d convinced myself that I’d made him bigger in my head, but looking at him then, I knew I hadn’t. He was just a massive man. His hair was longer and lighter, but those vibrant blue eyes were just as bright. Everything female in me fluttered, and I gripped the edge of the table, half ready to run and half ready to beg him for a repeat of before.
“Isaac, this is my little sister, Mallory. Mallory, this is Isaac. Isaac owns and operates a ranch on the other side of town.” Kara raised her brows at me, letting me know I needed to say something.