“Of course,” Sean replied.
I headed to the kitchen. “I’ll get coffee started.”
Jeremy brought out paper plates and napkins, and Sean opened the dessert boxes and set the yummy goodness on the table so everyone could take what they wanted. I got out the coffee mugs, sugar, and milk. Soon, everyone was happily indulging in the delicious desserts courtesy of Chef Joanna.
The door buzzed again, and I ran to get it, hoping it was Albert. When I saw my best friend standing there, I burst into tears. He pulled me into his arms and held me for a long time.
“I’m here. I’ve got you,” he crooned.
When I finally calmed down, he pulled a tissue out of his jacket pocket and handed it to me. I shook my head. “How is it that everyone but me has tissues?”
“We live to serve you, darling,” he snarked.
When I led him into our apartment, Liam glommed onto him and dragged him over to introduce him to Marco. Gabe handed me a plate of chocolate cheesecake and a fork. “How are you holding up?” he asked.
“Better now that my bestie is here.”
“I hear you,” he replied. “Everything is better when you have your friends around you.”
I wandered into the living room, looking for a place to sit. Sean had pulled Zach aside, and they were having a pretty intense conversation, during which Zach nodded occasionally. Cody had zeroed in on Jeremy as someone new to talk about Batman with. I looked around, and warmth filled me. This was what found family was all about. Showing up for each other when they needed it, no questions asked. I knew Zach hadn’t expected it and wasn’t used to it, but I had a feeling we would both need it.
CHAPTERFORTY-THREE
ZACH
“Is there anything I can do for you?” Tommy asked.
“I can’t think of anything right now,” I replied. “I took your advice when I called my CO Monday morning. He’s going to expedite my separation paperwork because it’s an emergency. I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done already, especially since I’ve only worked for you for a week.”
Tommy made a noise of dismissal. “I told you when you started working here, you’re one of us now. That means even when it’s inconvenient. I’ll be closing the shop on Saturday for the funeral.”
Tears pricked the backs of my eyes. Would I ever stop crying? My voice was thick with emotion when I spoke. “Thanks, Tommy.”
“Anytime, Zach. I’ll talk to you again soon.”
I ended the call and checked the time. Almost eight in the morning. Miguel was getting Cody dressed because he was awesome like that. Marco’s brother, Tino, had worked some kind of legal magic to get Cody and me a private meeting with Nico. He’d been intrigued by Nico’s case because he’d spotted irregularities in the prosecution’s case that Nico’s court-appointed lawyer hadn’t challenged. Tino was driving us to the prison so all three of us could meet with Nico.
I had to admit I was nervous. I’d liked Nico when Allie was dating him, especially when he seemed so excited about being a father. Then he’d gone and done something stupid that landed him a six-year prison sentence. Now I had to tell him my sister was dead, murdered by an ex-boyfriend who was now in the wind.
I’d decided I would write down how exactly she’d died rather than say it aloud because Cody hadn’t asked yet. I had no idea how he’d react when he found out. I was worried he’d be afraid of cars or crossing the street or something like that. I’d gotten the names of some child therapists, but I was waiting for my health insurance to kick in. Tommy had waived the customary thirty-day waiting period when he found out I was now Cody’s guardian. The insurance company wanted the legal paperwork, which the state was slow in getting to me. I could have gotten him a therapist using his Medicaid insurance, but the waiting list was two months long. My insurance would get him someone a lot faster if the state could pull its head out of its ass.
Everything was so complicated. I couldn’t imagine what I would have done if I’d had to do it all on my own. But for the first time in my life, I didn’t have to do it alone. I had this huge found family all standing at the ready to do whatever needed to be done. And I owed it all to Miguel. He’d taken my hand, literally and figuratively, and led me into a world where people cared about me and had my back.
The sound of little feet running drew my attention. Cody came bursting into the living room wearing a Batman T-shirt, Batman sneakers, and tiny blue jeans. “Uncle Zach! It’s my birthday!”
I picked him up and swung him around. “It sure is. Happy Birthday, little man.”
“Is Mommy going to make my cake?”
Another piece of my heart crumbled. “No, baby boy, she can’t. But we have a special surprise cake for you later today, okay?”
“Okay,” he said quietly.
“Listen,” I began, “I have another surprise for you.”
“What?”
“We’re going to see your daddy today.”
