A rush of warmth filled Alara's chest as she watched him cradle Zia carefully before jumping into the pool. She had no idea how he did it, but Zia's hair didn't even get wet. It was a good thing her head didn't go under—she was laughing so hard.
~ ~ ~
"Goodbye, Lady Sunshine. When will I see you again? Willyou come to Grandpa Grape's house and bring the doggos? And you." She smiled at Ollie, and Ollie grinned at her from where he stood next to Reaves. He and Callie had walked them out to Alara's Suburban. Reaves hated for the day to end, but it was time to go, and Alara was starting to look tired.
"We'll come and visit one day this week," said Ollie. "And don't worry, we'll bring Peanut and Butter."
Callie nodded. "And I'll see you soon."
Zia came running to Ollie, and Reaves loved the way his friend squatted down to hug her. But his attention went to Alara as she hugged Callie, and Callie whispered something in her ear. As she whispered back, he was grateful that even though she wasn't ready to open up to him, she'd found a friend—and she couldn't have found a better one.
There had been times over the years that he and Ollie had joked they might never settle down, because neither of them had ever found a girl who could compete with their friendship. Callie didn't compete. She just slotted in, as though she'd always been one of them, even though in some ways she couldn't be more different.
He came back to the moment when Ollie gave his shoulder a shake, as Zia ran back and climbed up into her car seat.
"I'll give you a call. We don't have any flights planned this week." He lowered his voice. "But if anything comes up, Elliott and Trick have both said they'll cover, if you want them to."
"Thanks, bud. I'll see how things go. But yeah, let me know when you can come. Dad's always happy to see you guys."
While Alara buckled Zia in, he loaded their bags into the back of the Suburban. When they were ready to go, he put the passenger window down and grinned at Ollie and Callie.
"Thanks for a great day, guys."
"Yeah, thank you," Alara called. "This was great."
"Thank you for coming," said Callie. "We need more days like this."
Zia put her window down and said, "We can come back tomorrow if you like."
Reaves tried not to laugh as Alara said, "We'll come back soon. But not tomorrow, Z, okay?"
By the time they reached the front gate and Alara pulled out onto the road, Reaves turned in his seat to check, and Zia was already asleep.
"Oh, look at that. She wore herself out."
"She did," Alara agreed. "Today was good for her." She only hesitated a moment before adding, "It was good for me too."
"I'm glad; you needed this. Thanks for letting me join in."
She shot him a look. "You're the one who letsmejoin in, Reaves. They're your friends, your family. Everything we have here is because of you, and I appreciate it. I really do."
"I know."
As they approached the gas station, he pointed. "Look. That's the first place we ever met."
She let out a short laugh. "Oh, wow, you're right. And you were kind to me even then."
He shrugged. "You needed Tylenol, I had Tylenol. It was just… logic."
"If you say so."
He chuckled at that, glad that she didn't let him get away with it. "Hey, I'll tell you what—would you mind pulling in for a minute?" He glanced over his shoulder again. "It won't wake Zia if I go in, will it? I just need to pick up a few things."
"No, once she's asleep like that, she's out like a light. She might not even wake when we get back and I carry her inside."
He frowned at that. "Mind if I carry her when we get there?"
"Okay, if you want to. I know she'd like that." After a beat of silence, she added, "And thanks, Reaves. I can do it myself. I always have, and I've always had to. But… it's nice." She looked a little embarrassed. "It's nice not to have to."
