Kara just grinned, loving every moment of having Luke around. “How are things with my brother?” she asked Maya.
The smile on Maya’s face faltered slightly. Had Kara not been so practiced at reading people as a lawyer, she might have missed it. Maya’s amber eyes weren’t as bright as they had been. “They’re…good,” she said hesitantly.
Kara raised an eyebrow at her. “I think you forgot you’re talking to a lawyer here.”
“Trust me, girl, no one forgets that,” Maya said, looking away.
Kara narrowed her eyes on the woman, cataloging every detail. Maya was only thirty-four years old, and while she looked great, she was also showing signs of stress. She had been taking care of her elderly parents after they’d been in a car accident. They were adjusting to life afterward and learning their capabilities with limited mobility, and they depended heavily on Maya.
“How are you doing, Maya?” Kara asked, changing tactics.
“I’m fine.” Maya shrugged.
Kara shook her head. “Girl, I don’t care if you and my brother never get back together…but don’t shut me out, not again. Once upon a time we were close.”
Maya’s face fell, and she looked down. “I’m sorry. I know I’m being a pain in the ass,” she said. “I’m not doing well.” She shook her head, and golden-brown curls fell in her face. She absently tucked them behind her ear. “Being back here is hard. Seeing my parents the way they are…it’s hard. It’s just all so hard.”
Kara took her hand in hers and squeezed. “Lean on us, girl. We’ve got you, whatever you need.”
Maya swallowed and nodded. “I’m going to go check on Luke, make sure he found his swimsuit.”
Kara let her go without another word. Maya and Marcos had a long road ahead of them. Kara was just glad that in the last six months, Maya had given Marcos unencumbered access to Luke.
Even Jason and Nico had taken a shine to the boy, but Marcos and Luke were like two peas in a pod. Kara had never seen her brother happier.
“How we doing over here, pretty momma?” Derrick asked as he rounded her lounge chair and pressed a kiss to the top of her head.
She smiled and looked up to find her three men standing around her. She had been so lost in thought she hadn’t noticed they’d finished their game. “I’m good. How are my guys?”
“We would be better if you were naked.” Kevin smirked down at her.
She rolled her eyes. “Should we just kick out all of our friends and family so we can go upstairs and fuck?” she asked.
“Sounds like a great plan, Princess.” Johnny chuckled and leaned down. He pressed a kiss to her lips. “We don’t have to kick them out, though. We could just sneak inside. No one would notice.”
She laughed and kissed him again. “They would too notice. I’m the size of a house.”
“A sexy house,” Derrick joked.
Kara gave him the finger and kissed Johnny again. He was getting her riled up, but he might be on to something. “Help me up.” She smirked.
Johnny grinned wickedly and grabbed her hands in his, pulling her to her feet.
She groaned as she felt an internal pull and then a snapping sensation, as if a rubber band inside her had snapped. There was a rush of warmth at the same time. “Oh fuck,” she breathed out as she looked down.
“Did you just pee?” Luke asked, appearing in front of them dressed in his swim trunks.
“My water just broke.” Kara gasped, eyes wide and locked on Johnny.
He laughed heartily and squeezed her hands. “Guess you’re missing the pig roast, Princess.”
“Baby time!” Derrick yelled, drawing attention.
Kara smacked his arm. “Thanks for calling attention, jerk.”
“And so it begins.” Kevin smirked. “How long until you’re cursing us out and swearing you’ll never have sex again?”
Kara ignored her boys and headed into the house. She wasn’t in pain and had some time. She was going to shower and eat a meal before she had to leave.
She had the rest of her life to rush around. For now, she would take her time and enjoy the ride.
THE END
