“Strong resemblance,” I say. “Even nailed the posture.”
Kate shakes her head, smiling up at me from the floor. “You’ve got a fan club now, Wells.”
“Just one member,” I say. “But she’s the best one.”
Evie giggles. “I’m gonna draw Mommy next to you!”
Kate blushes, and Brynn’s grin from beside me is pure mischief. “I bet that picture will be hanging on your fridge by morning.”
“Yeah,” I mutter under my breath, half to myself. “Sounds about right.”
Dessert disappears, wine drains low, and Evie’s been blinking in slow motion for the last fifteen minutes. She keeps insisting she isn’t tired, voice slurred around yawns she can’t hide.
Kate laughs softly and reaches for her daughter. “Alright, sleepyhead. Say goodnight.”
Evie groans, melting into her mom’s shoulder. “Can Coach Wells carry me?”
Kate’s eyes flick up to mine, cheeks pink. “You don’t have to—”
“I got her, Kate,” I say, grinning as I scoopEvie into my arms.
She’s out cold before we make it to the front door. Her head rests against my shoulder, small hand curled in my shirt, and for a second, I feel the world narrow down to this.
Kate follows me outside, the porch light painting her dark hair golden. The night air is warm, cicadas buzzing from the trees that line the drive.
“She’s dead weight when she’s asleep,” I say as we reach the car.
“Tell me something I don’t know,” she says with a smile, unlocking the door.
I ease Evie into her booster seat, careful not to wake her. She sighs and slumps against the seatbelt, completely unaware that the world’s been tilted on its axis for her mom all week.
Kate steps closer, tucking the blanket around her daughter’s legs. Her hand brushes mine—barely a touch—but the contact jolts through me like static.
“Thank you,” she whispers.
“For what?”
“For being you, I guess.”
I swallow, searching her face. Her eyes are soft in the moonlight.
She looks up, meeting my gaze. “You’re good with her,” she says quietly.
I glance at Evie asleep in the back seat. “She makes it easy. She’s the sweetest kid I know.”
She smiles as she looks up at me and I could kiss her right now. But I don’t want to disrupt this moment.
“Get home safe, okay?”
She gives a small smile. “You worry too much.”
“Someone’s gotta.”
That earns me the faintest laugh. She opens the car door and turns back once more, eyes glinting under the porch light. “Goodnight, Wells.”
“Night, Katie.”
Chapter fifteen
