Kayla stretched her arms out and took her baby girl. Ana cuddled into her, smiling so big and wide as she wound her fist into a lock of long blond hair that had fallen from Kayla’s messy bun.
“How’s my little love bug?”
“Some jerk harassed Kayla on the street just now,” Chloe said as they sat down to lunch.
Avery and JoJo looked furious. And concerned. Kayla’s heart warmed. She’d always had Bailey, but now she had these women too.
“It’s okay,” Kayla said. “I overreacted. It was just some guy in a car trying to pick me up. I don’t know why men think that hollering hey baby out the car window to a woman they don’t know is ever anything but creepy.”
She didn’t tell them the part where he’d said she was going to get what was coming to her. She didn’t know what it meant—if it meant anything—but it bothered her more than the catcalling had.
“It’s totally creepy,” Avery said as she flipped open the Styrofoam container to reveal a club sandwich.
JoJo speared some green beans from her container. “You’d think somebody would tell them. Or that the lack of a positive reaction might clue them in.”
Chloe snorted. “You’d think, but those types aren’t all that bright. Not to mention, I think they do know. It’s not really about getting a date so much as it’s a power issue. Assert your dominance over the poor little female and make her cringe. It’s what my ex would have done.”
Kayla didn’t know a lot about Chloe’s background, but she knew there’d been some sort of clash with her ex where Ryan had to get involved. Now they were living together and planning to get married and the ex was dead. Chloe had been hurt in the exchange, but she was fine now. One day, Kayla might get the courage to ask her more about it. She felt like Chloe of all people would understand what she’d been through with James Dunn.
But no matter how nicely these girls treated her, she had a lifetime’s worth of trying to protect herself emotionally to overcome. Logically, she knew they wouldn’t judge her. She knew Chloe would put her arms around her and hug her tight if Kayla told her about James and the Kings of Doom. Still, she wasn’t ready yet.
Kayla ate her lunch with one hand while holding Ana with the other and bouncing her up and down. The women talked about a mix of things, from men to clients to the party Chloe and Ryan were having this weekend at their place. Chloe promised to fry up a bunch of chicken and make a Southern feast. It sounded delicious.
“I’ve got a perm coming in this afternoon,” Avery said when they were finishing up. “Mrs. Flynn at three.”
“Bailey is swinging by at two to pick up Ana,” Kayla said.
Avery reached out and tweaked Ana’s nose. “We don’t want this precious little girl breathing those nasty fumes, do we? No we don’t,” she added in a baby voice.
Ana giggled. Kayla was so grateful to Avery for letting her bring Ana in whenever she needed to, but Avery was firm about making sure Ana wasn’t around when they were dealing with strong chemicals. Which Kayla very much appreciated.
“So Chloe,” JoJo said. “Tell me more about that yummy SEAL who came in with Ryan yesterday.”
Kayla’s skin prickled. Zach had been with Ryan yesterday. They hadn’t stayed. Zach had said hello to her, but that was it. There’d been no emotion in those green eyes as he’d looked past her after their brief exchange. It hurt, though it shouldn’t. They’d been friends who’d slipped. Nothing more.
Even if she wanted more. Even if that single night had been unforgettable in so many ways. She fantasized about life with a man like Zach—strong, honorable, protective. She still worried that James would come for her some day. With Zach in her corner, how could James succeed?
“Zach?” Chloe asked. “They used to be roomies until Ryan moved in with me. Zach still has the house across the street. I don’t know if he’s looking for another roommate or what.”
“Is he dating anyone?”
“I don’t think so. But why do you care? Didn’t you tell me you had a hot date this weekend?”
“Well, yeah—but you know me. More is always better.”
Kayla nibbled the inside of her lip while she fed Ana a bite of mashed potatoes. She liked JoJo a lot. But if the woman started going out with Zach, Kayla knew she wouldn’t take it very well at all. Not that he was hers or even very likely to be hers. But if he was going to date someone, she wanted it to be a person she didn’t know.
Chloe shrugged. She didn’t make eye contact with Kayla. Was it on purpose? Or was she imagining it?
“I don’t think he’s looking right now. I think he’s hung up on someone.”
Kayla’s stomach flipped. Who was Zach hung up on? Not her, because he’d been coolly distant since the night they’d shared. It was over two months ago now, so definitely not her. Which meant he’d met someone—or maybe he’d already been hung up on another woman when he’d slept with Kayla, which made the whole thing infinitely worse. No wonder he’d been distant.
Her heart pinched to think about it. He’d slept with her but he might have been thinking about someone else. Wanting someone else.
Stop. You don’t know that.
“Well she needs to step up then,” JoJo said. “Because it’s crazy to let a man like that go.”
“I got the impression it was complicated,” Chloe said.
JoJo snorted. “What’s so complicated? The man is a US Navy SEAL—the best of the best, hotter than hot, and if he’s half as good in the sack as he looks out of it, well, I am of the opinion this woman is a little nuts if she doesn’t jump on him.”
Kayla kept her head down as she fed Ana. She couldn’t look at JoJo while she talked about Zach like that, and she couldn’t let anyone see the anguish she felt inside. Zach was an amazing lover and a good guy. He’d be perfect to help raise Ana. But how could she ever expect him to do that? Ana wasn’t his responsibility.
“Not everything is as easy as riding a guy like he’s a bucking bronc, Jo,” Avery said, her voice low and a little pained.
“No, you’re right,” JoJo said. She reached out and squeezed Avery’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, hon. I know it hasn’t been all that long since you broke up with Jimmy. I should be more sensitive.”
Avery pasted on a smile. “I know you don’t mean any harm, Jo. I love you—and I love that you’re as crazy as you are. I get to live vicariously through your exploits.”
JoJo smiled. “They’re pretty good, right?”
Chloe snorted. “Epic.”
They all laughed. Kayla had been a bit amazed at how open JoJo was about her sex life, but she couldn’t help but listen to Jo’s stories anyway. Aside from that one night with Zach, Kayla hadn’t gotten any action in more than a year. Not that she had time for it with an eight-month old, but now that she’d been with Zach, she often thought about it late at night when Ana slept. About how amazing it had been. How wonderful to lie in his arms and feel safe for a while.
And now he was hung up on somebody. Her stomach fluttered and tumbled. Was that why he’d never mentioned it again? She hadn’t either and maybe she should have. Maybe it would have been less awkward if she had.