The Favor

“You can never be too old to celebrate Halloween.” I slid a meaningful look Dane’s way, but he missed it—his gaze was on our two daughters.

I wouldn’t say fatherhood changed Dane—he was still cold, ruthless, and calculating. But when around his children, those traits fell away. I’d initially worried that he’d struggle to allow himself to love and bond with them—such a thing wasn’t reflexive for Dane. But I’d worried for nothing. He’d taken one look at them the moment they were born and fell hard each time. He was a protective, hands-on dad who never let his children feel second to his job.

“My money’s on Addie,” he said into my ear. “She’ll win easy.”

If he thought I’d bet against him, he was wrong. Our eldest daughter, who was a year older than Alicia, was much like Dane. Calm, serious, a deep thinker, and uber competitive. She also had his dark eyes, and her sleek medium-length hair was the same deep black as his. Unlike him, Addison was also sweet as pie and great with animals.

Wyatt paused the music. The dancing kids froze, apart from Ashley and Tucker’s youngest boy, Cooper—he toddled around, too young to understand the game. He pulled hard on his older brother’s leg, but Kian didn’t budge. Little Sabrina, however, wobbled and then stumbled back a step.

Beside Wyatt, Simon winced and said, “Sorry, Sabrina, you’re out.”

Her eyes went wide as saucers. “I didn’t move. Mommy, tell him I didn’t move.”

“I would if it were true,” said Hanna with a smile.

Hanna had become accidentally pregnant with Sabrina after a one-night stand six years ago. The kid’s dad, Kyle, had been very involved during the pregnancy. He and Hanna had eventually become a couple, and they were cute as hell together—especially right now, dressed up as Mr. and Mrs. Incredible. Ashley and Tucker, who stood off to the side with them, had come dressed as Morticia and Gomez Adams.

The buzzer sounded just as the music restarted.

Dane checked his phone. “It’s Kent and Emma.”

I smiled. “Good, I was hoping they’d come.”

“I’ll let them in.” He kissed my temple and then left the room.

Melinda leaned into me. “I really like Emma.”

“So do I. She just ‘fits’ Kent in the best way.” Unlike his ex-wife. He hadn’t even tried to work things out with Jen, feeling too betrayed by all she’d done and concealed from him. She’d pestered him to forgive her for months. Hell, she’d even reached out to both Dane and I at one point, appealing for us to help her win Kent back.

“Emma’s so sweet I was convinced it had to be an act at first—I couldn’t see how anyone could truly be that nice,” said Melinda.

“She’s completely genuine. I’m glad he has her. I just wish he’d get over his hang-ups about marriage. Though I can understand why he’s shy about taking another walk down the aisle. It didn’t exactly end well last time.”

“I think he’ll make an honest woman of her at some point. I love how sweetly protective he is of her. He’s even more so now that she’s pregnant.”

Yes, and I figured a big reason for that was that his ex-wife kept calling and sending Emma letters. Jen had popped back onto the scene when she heard that his girlfriend of three years was pregnant. Luckily, Emma had more staying power than to be scared off by Jen’s antics.

I smiled as Dane re-entered the room with Kent and Emma. They weren’t wearing costumes, but I hadn’t expected them to. Kent was too serious for that. Emma wasn’t so serious, but she’d never dress up unless he did too—she wouldn’t want to make him feel bad.

“Thanks for coming,” I said.

Emma grinned. “Thanks for inviting us.”

Kent kissed my cheek and then scanned the room with his gaze. “Where are my girls? Ah.”

Just then, the music stopped again. Moments later, Alicia stomped off the makeshift dance floor with a put-out sigh after being declared “out,” making her blonde hair bop with each step. Spotting Kent, she dashed over and jumped into his arms. “Uncle Kent!”

“Don’t you look pretty in your princess gown.” He kissed her face and blew raspberries on her neck, making her giggle.

Kent was the doting uncle every kid wished they had, and I figured he’d make just as doting a father. He and Dane were somewhat closer these days and played a bigger part in each other’s lives.

Travis kept a low profile. We received cards from him on the holidays, but he rarely visited. He had, however, cleaned up his ways. Sort of. He didn’t gamble anymore, but he cheated on his oblivious fiancée, who I kind of liked and felt super sorry for.

Travis and Hope had divorced roughly the same time as Kent and Jen. Hope hadn’t made contact with any of us again. Owen—true to his word—had stayed away and ceased trying to separate me and Dane. Similarly, Heather had stopped playing games, but she’d made no attempt to improve her life or change her ways.