Kisses and Warfare

“I’m sure you have. But I am not no one.” He chuckles. “How much fun is next week going to be? Can I come? I so wanna watch this shit play out, and… I love gender reveal parties.”

“No,” I say, shaking my head. “What the fuck is that anyway?”

“You know, they pop a balloon, and it’s either blue or pink confetti.”

“I’m disturbed how you know this shit,” I say to him as he takes a seat.

“I know all things, even about love.” Snow raises an eyebrow, and I somehow withstand the urge to throw something at his face.Chapter Twenty-FourKat“What do you mean you don’t have balloons for it?” my mother asks.

“Rochelle is craving cake. So cake it is.”

Mom’s hands fold over, and she scrutinizes me. “Cake! What, you make the cake a color?”

“Yes, Mother. They cut it and inside provides the sex of the baby.”

“Does Rochelle know you’ve done it this way?”

Oh my God. Deep breath, keep taking deep breaths.

“Of course she knows.” She doesn’t, but she really doesn’t need to know. I wanted it to be a surprise for Rochelle as well.

“I bumped into that man of yours last week. He given you your job back, yet?”

Lord, give me strength.

“No, Mother, I quit.”

“Well, you should really talk to him. I’m sure you could get that job back if you wanted. I mean, you can do better, but I know how much you love it. So, whatever.”

“Thanks for your support,” I mumble under my breath while going to the front door and opening it. Rochelle is standing there with Marcus behind her.

“You’re early. I told you not to be early.”

“She insisted we come,” Marcus says, looking down at her. “I had no say.”

“I got this,” I tell her.

She leans forward, speaking just above a whisper, “Mom told me she was coming to help, so figured I would save you.”I pull her in for a hug, and she laughs.

“Figured as much,” she says into my hair.

The sound of a bike is heard from behind us.

“Oh, he was at ours, so he followed. Believe me, he doesn’t want to be here, but I insisted because it will be his niece or nephew.” Rochelle pulls away, walking past us and inside. “Go and say hello, please.”

Walking out as they go in, I step down to where Blaze climbs off his bike. He shoves a hand through his hair after he takes off the helmet and looks at me. “Katarina.”

“Blaze,” I say his name back.

“I didn’t want to attend.”

“I know. Thanks for coming anyway,” I say, using the nicest voice I can muster. Turning, I go to walk back inside when he says my name again, “Katarina.”

I look at him over my shoulder.

“You must miss the club. They all miss you and want you back.”

“I do miss it. But you see, Blaze…” I say, turning and stepping up closer to him, “… my boss is an asshole.” I smile, then walk back inside fast enough that if he called my name again, I don’t hear him.

As soon as I get inside, my mother is gushing over Rochelle. Marcus sits on the couch watching Rochelle as if she might escape at any moment. I bet he doesn’t want to be here either.

“Did you want something to drink? Perhaps somewhere to escape to?” I laugh, looking down at Marcus.

“No,” is all he replies, not losing sight of Rochelle for one second.

“There’s no use, he’s a lovesick fool for that one,” Blaze says, walking in and standing behind me.

“Aren’t they lucky,” I mutter, walking away.

“Blaze, so good to see you.” My mother walks over, kissing his cheek in greeting.

He looks down, and I have to stifle my laugh while watching him squirm.I’m on to my third drink when Mitchell walks in the door a few hours later with Annabelle on his hip. She’s sound asleep.

“Oh God, she fell asleep?” I ask him, taking her from him. She stays asleep when she comes to me, so she must be tired. I let Mitchell take her to the park and for some lunch. He’s been consistent and trying harder than I thought he would. And Annabelle, she loves him, and this makes me happy.

“Yeah, off with the fairies that one.” Mitchell smiles, stepping closer to me and kissing her head.

My mother and Rochelle’s friends have left, it’s just us four: me, Rochelle, Marcus, and Blaze. Now Mitchell is joining us as well.

“She was so good, but I think she probably needs a good eight hours of sleep with how much running around she did in the park.” He pulls away, slips his hands in his pockets, then looks around. He stops at my sister. “Congrats. A girl?” he asks, guessing because of all the pink.

“Yep. Give me a second while I put her to bed,” I say, walking away. Giving Annabelle a kiss before I lay her down, I close the door and walk back down the stairs to see Blaze standing as he speaks to Mitchell.