“Cole! Kyle is an only child. My aunt status depends on you.”
“Sorry, sis. Hey, Kacen and Logan are gonna have one in a few months. I’ll kidnap him or her periodically and you can pretend.” I smirk.
“Not good enough.” She stomps her foot and I throw my head back in laughter.
Kyle comes to my rescue. “Leave the poor guy alone.”
“Thank you.” I nod in appreciation.
“Now, we have parents who are picking up kids, and since this guy volunteered for uncle duties, you and I are going to a movie.” He looks at me and I nod again.
“Go, have fun. Mia and I will hold down the fort.”
Chloe grins. “You mean something besides a cartoon? Sign me up.” She heads toward the backyard to start gathering kids.
“She’s a handful,” I say to Kyle after she’s out of earshot.
“Yep, and she’s my handful. Just you wait.” He slaps me on the shoulder and walks off toward his wife.
“Hello,” I mumble into the phone. I have no idea what time it is, but it’s still dark outside.
“Stace? Hey, it’s Logan.”
“Is everything all right?” I sit up in bed, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.
“Yes. Hey, listen, we’re about to board our flight home, and I wanted to see if you could meet us at the house.”
Squinting, I look at the clock and see that it’s five forty-five in the morning. What the hell? “You couldn’t have waited until you landed? Or sent a text maybe?” I grumble.
“Possibly, but I want you to be there when we get there. I have news,” she chirps.
“Logan, I already know Kace knocked you up, and I don’t need all the sexed-up details of your honeymoon. You’re a married woman now.”
Her infectious laugh reaches my ears through the phone line. “Shut it. Kacen and I want to talk to you about something. I’m super excited about it, and I need you to be at our place when we get there. Can you do that, Miss Moody?” she taunts.
“Moody? Really, Logan? I was sleeping!”
“Fine, I know. I’m sorry, I’m just really excited. Go back to sleep. We’ll be home around five. I can’t wait to see you.”
Just like that, the line goes dead. How am I supposed to go back to sleep now that my mind is reeling from her “we want to talk to you” confession. UGH! I throw the covers over my head and try to clear my mind, but it’s no use. Instead, I climb my tired ass out of bed and decide to go for an early-morning run.
I’ve kept a lot to myself this week. I’ve been searching for jobs online, since mine is . . . not what I originally thought. Being a drug rep sounded fun. I thought I would get to use my degree in education to teach physicians and their staff about new medications and treatment development. Instead, I get to stand at the reception window and ask for a physician’s signature so I can leave samples. We do lunches for them, and even then it’s as if I’m an enemy in their territory. They have to talk to me as part of the “lunch meeting,” but you can tell that most of them are not the least bit thrilled about the idea.
The money is good, but I think going the traditional education route is more my speed. However, it’s hard to find a job in the local school systems. Most teachers hold their positions for years, making it hard for new hires, unless someone retires.
I’ve been submitting my résumé to local school systems, but so far no luck. I hate the thought of staying at my current job, but even more than that, I hate the idea of moving away from my friends and family.
Logan did it. She came to Tennessee for college, met Kacen, and the rest, as they say, is history. But I would be alone, and that is not a thrilling thought.
After my run, I grab a quick shower and clean my apartment. It’s weird being here all on my own. I miss my best friend.
I pass the time curled up on the couch with my Kindle. I’m so engrossed in the story that the shrill ring of my cell phone startles me. Looking down, I see it’s Logan.
Shit.
“Hello,” I answer, standing from the couch. I grab my purse and toss my Kindle inside, quickly grabbing my keys.
“I’m home and you’re not here,” she scolds me.
“I know. I’m sorry. I got engrossed in this book and lost track of time. I’m heading out now.”
“Well, since it was a new book boyfriend, I’ll let it go. You’ll have to fill me in so I can meet him too.”
Logan and I both share a love of reading. “You got it. I’ll be there in twenty.” I throw my phone in the cup holder, fasten my seat belt and head out. I should have told her that I was sleeping because she woke me up so damn early. I’m sure she would have loved that.