Frankie high-fived Cami, looking entirely too pleased with herself.
Kat grabbed my arm and practically dragged me toward the door. “We’re leaving. Now.”
“Have fun!” Frankie called after us. “But nottoomuch fun!”
“Frankie!” Kat’s voice was mortified, but I could hear the laugh underneath it.
I opened the truck door for Kat, and she slid in, her face still flushed.
As I walked around to the driver’s side, I caught Maggie’s eye through the window. She gave me a thumbs-up, and I nodded.
I climbed into the truck, started the engine, and looked over at Kat.
She was staring straight ahead, her hands folded in her lap, her shoulders still shaking slightly with suppressed laughter.
I pulled out of the driveway, and we drove in silence for about a minute before Kat turned to me, her eyes glinting with mischief.
“So,” she said, her voice dripping with amusement. “Protection, huh?”
My face went hot. “Don’t.”
“Don’t what?” She was definitely enjoying this. “I’m just saying what Frankie said. Safe sex is important.”
“Kat.”
“She has a point, though.” Kat bit her lip, trying not to smile. “Very responsible of her to bring it up.”
“She’s twelve,” I muttered, gripping the steering wheel. “She shouldn’t even be thinking about that shit.”
“She’s homeschooled by a woman who apparently teaches very thorough health classes.” Kat’s voice was teasing now, playful in a way that made my chest tighten. “I wonder where she gets her confidence.”
“From you,” I said flatly. “She definitely gets it from you.”
“Me?” Kat pressed her hand to her chest in mock innocence. “I would never.”
“You absolutely would.” I shot her a look. “And you’re enjoying this way too much.”
“I am,” she admitted, not even trying to hide her grin. “You should see your face right now. You look like you’re about to combust.”
“That kid is too smart for her own good,” I muttered, shaking my head. “Way too smart. And apparently has no filter.”
“I wonder where she gets that from too,” Kat said sweetly.
I groaned. “This is payback, isn’t it? For me not shutting her down immediately.”
“Maybe a little.” Kat reached over and squeezed my arm, her touch gentle despite her teasing. “But mostly, I’m just enjoying watching you squirm. You looked absolutely mortified back there.”
“I was not—” I stopped, exhaled. “Okay, I was. Your daughter just told me to use protection in front of your friends.”
“Ourdaughter,” Kat corrected softly, and something in my chest shifted at the words. “And yes, she did. Very loudly.”
I glanced over at her, and she was smiling—a real smile, not mocking, just genuinely amused and warm.
“I’m so sorry,” she said, but her voice was full of laughter. “I really am. But that was the funniest thing I’ve seen all week.”
I reached over and took her hand, threading my fingers through hers. “She’s a great kid.”
Kat finally looked at me fully, and the tension in her shoulders eased. “She really is.”
