I look up to see a little girl with pigtails waving enthusiastically from another booth. “You can go say hi if you want, sweetheart.”
Evie grins, sliding out of the booth. “Okay! I’ll be right back!”
“Walk, not run,” I call, but she’s already halfway there.
Brynn leans on her elbows, smiling after her. “She’s the cutest kid alive.”
Kinsey nods. “She’s basically our mascot.”
I smile faintly, watching Evie chat with her classmate. The joy on her face squeezes my heart—and reminds me of the storm waiting just beneath the surface.
Brynn’s gaze sharpens, catching it instantly. “You’re quiet.”
Kinsey raises an eyebrow. “Yeah, which is suspicious. You usually lecture me about my life choices at least twice by now.”
I toy with my napkin, debating how much to say. “It’s nothing.”
“Liar,” they both say in unison.
I sigh, glancing at Evie again before I lean over the table, lowering my voice. “Cam made a…suggestion.”
Kinsey’s eyes go wide. “Asuggestion? Sounds dirty already.”
“It’s not dirty.”
Brynn smirks. “You hesitated. That means it’s at least a little dirty.”
I groan. “Would you two shut up for two seconds? It’s not that kind of suggestion.”
They exchange a look that sayssure, Jan.
I take a deep breath. “He proposed something to help with the custody case.”
That gets their attention.
“What kind of something?” Brynn asks suspiciously.
“He thinks it might help if we…gave the court the image of a stable home. Like Daniel and his wife.”
Kinsey frowns. “I’m not following.”
I exhale, staring at my coffee. “He offered to marry me.”
For a moment, the table goes completely silent. Then Kinsey blurts, “Holy fake wedding, Batman.”
Brynn’s eyes go wide. “Hewhat?”
“Not for real,” I say quietly. “Just on paper. He said it could make the judge see me as the more stable parent. Two incomes, partnership, family unit—all that.”
Brynn sits back slowly, processing. “That’s…bold.”
“Insane,” Kinsey adds. “Hot, but insane.”
I rub my forehead. “You’re telling me.”
Brynn reaches across the table, her tone softer now. “Kate, what did you say to him?”
“I didn’t say anything. I was too stunned to form words.”
