“It was,” I reply sweetly.
“Mine wasn’t either,” Freya grumbles, falling into me.
“I’m pretty sure if you ask Mark nicely enough, he will massage your feet and you won’t lose money doing it.”
She yawns.“Still mean.”
“I think we should call it a night,” Liza suggests.“Some of us aren’t cut out for drinking.”
I snicker at the sight of Mark slumped over Freya’s back.I’m pretty sure he was snoring five minutes ago.
Malia sighs.“Or food,” she replies, glancing over at Milly sprawled out with Magnolia on the sun lounger.Food covers her mouth and shirt.I’m pretty sure the only thing that could wake her from her food coma is the smell of more food.
“Come on, Mark, we will take you home,” Lily whispers whilst nudging him.
“I’ll help him get in the car,” Freya promises.
“Why don’t you wait until I get him in the back and I’ll come back for you,” Jaxon offers, his lips twitching when she misses picking up her bag for the fourth time.
My attention is pulled back to Lily when she begins to make her way over to me.They’ve not long got back from dropping off Jaxon’s brothers.It’s late, and I bet all she wants is to get her husband and little girl home.
She pulls me in for a hug.“Thank you for what you did today.I can’t bear to think about the alternative.I’m just so grateful to you for getting there when you did.”
I rub her arms when I feel her shiver against me, and I know it’s not because there’s a chill in the air because it’s a muggy night.“I’m glad I could help.”
Although I do feel like I have imposter syndrome.I didn’t really do anything but yell to get out of the house.I feel like they are giving me way too much credit.
Reid gets up, kissing his mum on the cheek.“I’ll see you tomorrow once I’m done.”He then turns to Jaxon who is back from getting Mark into the car.“Call me if you need anything.”
My eyebrows bunch together.“You aren’t going home with your mum?”I ask.
“I’m going to stay here.By now, your boss is surely going to connect you to us.I want to be here in case something happens.”
I’m not the first to laugh.Malia is.So I don’t feel bad when the flesh on his cheeks tinges pink.
“You are so cute, Reid Hayes,” she splutters.
I try to cover the laugh, I do, but he still notices and his eyes narrow.“I’m still stopping over.Laugh all you want.I’d rather be safe than sorry.”
Liza gets up next, Malia at her side, who happens to still be laughing.“I know you girls can take care of yourselves, but give us all some peace of mind tonight.Let my son stay.That way, none of us are alone.Plus, I had the materials sent to the fence line so he’ll be making those repairs tomorrow morning.”
Malia silently questions me if it’s okay.I bite my lower lip, glancing at Reid from my peripheral vision, then shrug.I mean, it wouldn’t hurt anyone.Probably test my sanity but it wouldn’t hurt anyone.
She sighs, slapping her hands down at her side.“Alright, but only to give you all peace of mind.Nothing more,” she explains, then glances around.“Come on, I’m shattered.Let’s get everything cleared up.”
Once the goodbyes are shared, I pick up a black bag and begin to clear up the mess we have left behind.Malia isn’t the only one who is shattered.
My only problem is, will I be able to sleep knowing Reid is one floor down?
