“Sorry,” he said, the tension leaving his body. “I guess Evan’s bat scares the fuck out of me.”
Evan chuckled. “Good. That’s the point.”
Ellis got up from the floor where she’d been with her dolls and crawled onto Evan’s lap. He kissed the top of her head as she balanced on his leg for a pony ride.
He gave her what she wanted, bouncing his leg and letting it drop. Her giggles sounded out around us, and I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face.
“Daddy, more!” she squealed as he slowed to a stop.
He obliged, going longer this time. Finally, the fun ended, and she ran off to gather her dolls because she said she had to prepare for her tea party with Cole tonight.
“I don’t think Cole understands what he’s in for,” Evan mused.
“He’s about to learn,” Klaus said.
I couldn’t wait. I hoped it was everything Cole dreamed of.
“So, I thought we should tell Rosalie the news,” Anson called out.
“Oh, right. The news.” Klaus sat forward.
“What news?” Ryder asked.
“You know the news,” Anson said.
“That’s right. That news.” Evan smirked at me.
“Stop playing.” I laughed. “Tell me what’s going on.”
“Tell her,” Klaus said to Evan.
“Uh, well, babe, we’re looking at a place to buy here.” Evan eyed me from behind his sunglasses.
“We have a place.” I gestured around us, confused about what the hell they were talking about.
“With Cole being in the picture and the possibility of E and Enzo, we thought maybe relocation might be a good thing right now,” Anson said.
“What? Really?” I frowned at them. “You guys said you didn’t want to be in Chicago.”
“Chicago is my home,” Klaus said. “I love this city as much as I hate it. What tips the scale is you and Ellis. I would come back, take it over, and crown you queen of it if I knew it would make you smile.”
“Klaus,” I murmured, my heart swelling at his words.
“I don’t hate Chicago as much anymore,” Evan added. “Because it has you here. And it makes sense right now with Cole wanting to be in the picture with Ellis.”
“Plus, travel, LeeLee. It’s a lot. If we’re all here, things will be better,” Anson said.
“Ry? What do you think?” I asked.
“I like the idea of not flying back and forth so much, but I’m the new guy, so whatever you guys want, then I’m all in,” Ryder answered.
“You’re not the new guy,” Anson scoffed. “You’ve been around longer than any of the horsemen have.”
“Minus me,” Evan said.
“Right, minus Evan.” Anson shot him an apologetic look. “But to be fair, Fox was a horseman; Evan never was.”
“Touché.” Evan settled back in his seat and adjusted his sunglasses.
