“Yes, ma’am. I realize you don’t know me that well, but I plan to rectify that real soon. There’s nothing more important than family.”
Her father looked at Kaylee and winked. “A straight shooter. I like this one.”
“Well, come on in, Mr. Alexander. Come in and sit down.” Henrietta beamed up at him as she took his arm and he followed her into the living room.
“Call me Eli, please.”
“Do you work here in town, Eli?”
“I own a security company headquartered in Northern Virginia, but I’m moving home. I’ll open a secondary location in New Haven.”
Henrietta looked back at Kay. “He’s a business owner, Kaylee.” She didn’t let go of Eli’s arm as she led him into the living room. Probably figured Kay would never bring home such a good catch again.
Kay shook her head as Eli effortlessly charmed her parents.
When the doorbell rang, Henrietta looked over her shoulder. “Get the door, Kaylee. It’s for you.”
“How do you know it’s for me?”
But as usual, her mother wasn’t paying any attention, instead smiling up at Eli and hanging on his every word. Kay snickered. She wondered what her mother would think if she found out that good catch was thoroughly corrupting her daughter every night and introducing her to things that were illegal in some states.
She peered through the peephole and then pulled back in surprise. Her hand fumbled with the knob as she struggled to turn it. The door swung open and Sasha looked up.
After a few moments, they each reached out, ending up in an awkward hug.
“I am so glad to see you.”
“I’m so sorry I didn’t call you back.”
They both spoke at once and then ended up grinning at each other. Kay pulled her friend back into another hug. “I wasn’t sure if I was going to see you again. I’m so sorry about everything that happened.”
“Me, too. I was just hurt. And embarrassed. But I know it wasn’t your fault.”
“I knew you’d never hurt me.” Kay pulled her friend inside and then shut the door.
“Not me, just my crappy taste in men.” Sasha’s face twisted and tears welled in her eyes. “I didn’t know what he was doing, I swear.”
“I know.” Kay hooked an arm around her friend’s neck. “My life isn’t right without you in it. Don’t go away again, okay?”
Sasha nodded. “Never again.”
Kay wiped the tears from her cheeks. “We don’t need to talk about that anymore. I have something better. Let’s go watch Eli charm my parents.”
Sasha’s eyes sparkled gratefully. “Tall, dark, and scary meets the parents, huh? I’m in.”
EPILOGUE
In the not-so-distant future…
“I CAN’T BELIEVE this day is finally here. Thanks for hosting this party for me.” Kaylee could have danced in place with excitement. Her album was releasing the following day and her friends were hosting an album-release party at Sweeties, an exclusive restaurant, just for her. She’d done several so far, including one in L.A. and another in New York, but this was the one that mattered most to her.
The private party with all her family and friends in attendance.
“Of course. We’re happy to do it.” Ridley swayed back and forth, her hands on the small of her back, her pregnant belly extremely evident even under her loose maternity dress.
“It feels like a dream, being here. Like, what did I do to deserve all this?” Kay shrugged, sure she sounded maudlin.
“No, I understand completely. Sometimes I still pinch myself and can’t believe this is my life. I just roll over and watch Jackson sleeping next to me and think it’s all been just a dream. Then the boys come crashing in and I know it’s real!”