“She’s working on a Sunday?”
“Her schedule is packed until mid-December. She and her two employees are taking a week off for Christmas.” Dylan looked at her phone when it beeped, then looked up at Macy. “Kat’s here.”
“Don’t keep her waiting. We’ll talk more later.”
After a quick glance in the foyer mirror, Dylan made her way to the front door and out of the house. Kat stood in the yard talking with Deborah and Iris. She proceeded down the steps and wrapped her arms around Kat, kissing her. “Hello.”
“Hello,” Kat said, her smile lighting up her face.
“It’s good to see you again, Deborah,” Dylan said.
“You as well, dear.”
“Let’s get inside,” Iris said and ushered everyone in.
Macy was waiting in the living room for them and was cordial when introduced to Deborah and Kat. She waited until Deborah and Iris had walked out of the room to pounce on Kat. “So, Kat. What are your intentions toward my cousin?”
Dylan rolled her eyes, but kept her mouth shut. Kat could handle herself. She looked especially fetching today dressed in a pair of black Bermuda shorts and a blue V-neck t-shirt that showed off the muscles in her arms.
“I love your cousin and it’s not my intention to deliberately hurt her.”
Macy narrowed her eyes. “Did you rehearse that?”
Kat blinked. “Maybe, but it’s the truth.”
“Fair enough. I’m going to go check on everyone outside,” Macy said, leaving them alone.
Kat flopped down on the couch beside Dylan. “How’d I do?”
Dylan was surprised that Macy had given in so easily. It frightened her to think about what Macy was up to. “You passed.”
“Phew.” Kat wiped her forehead with the back of her hand.
Dylan kissed Kat’s jaw. “I love you.”
“I love you.”
“Everyone’s supposed to be on their best behavior today,” Dylan said, running her fingers underneath Kat’s shirt and along her abs. God, she could touch her abs all day.
“Everyone but you.” Kat stilled the hand.
“Sorry,” Dylan said, not sorry in the least.
Kat stood, offering her hand to Dylan, who latched onto it, allowing herself to be pulled up and into Kat’s waiting arms. “Don’t be sorry. I don’t mind you touching me. You can explore all you like, but maybe not in your cousin’s living room with everyone waiting outside for us.”
Dylan nipped Kat’s neck before stepping away and pulling Kat along with her. “You’re right. Now isn’t the time, but soon.”
“I can handle soon or later. We’re in no hurry here.”
“You’re too good to me, Kat.”
“Don’t be silly. You’re more than worth it.”
“I hope you feel that way after meeting the rest of the family.” Dylan paused. “They’re good people but can come off as a little brash sometimes.”
“You don’t have anything to worry about. I’m glad to be here. Meeting your family is just one step in the process and I’m excited to check them all off.”
Dylan nodded then lead the way outside. One thing was for certain. It was going to be a long day.
Reeva, can you go grab a couple of boxes of flooring, so we can see what it’s going to look like?” It was early, but Kat had wanted to get a bunch of things checked off for this build. The clients for this particular build would be back in Garriety in three weeks to pick up their new tiny house. Kat had been surprised, but pleased, that the couple had traveled a few hours to commission a tiny house from her. It just showed her that she was on the right track with the business.
“Sure thing.”
Kat sat back on her heels and eyed the small space. It was more basic than some of the other models they had built but still had all the amenities one would need. It felt good to be able to create a home for someone. No matter the cost.
Once Kat had some time off, she wanted to finish her basement. She’d decided to turn it into a workout/game room. Briley had already requested a pool table and Leah had asked for a dart board. Kat had also decided to put a foosball table and air hockey down, per Emma’s request. She was hoping to find a bunch of things second-hand. Since Evan had given up part of the basement to allow a media room to be built, Kat wouldn’t have to worry about that for her house.
“Here we go,” Reeva said. They spent the next fifteen minutes laying some pieces down to see what pattern they wanted to use. “I like the straight lines.”
“Me too.” It took them almost four hours, but they had the entire floor down. “Wow. That’s nice.”
“Hey, boss,” Kyle said, sticking his head inside. “You have a visitor.”
From the smirk on his face, she knew it was Dylan. “Tell her I’ll be out in a minute.”
“I sent her to your office.”
Meeting everyone at the cookout wasn’t as scary as Kat thought it would be. For the most part, everyone was lovely. She’d fallen into bed that night with a smile, like the one she sported now. She and Dylan were so busy during the week that not much time was available for them to get together. Lunch from Dylan was exactly what she needed.
“Go to lunch, Reeva.”
“Aye, aye.”
Even though dirty from work, she slipped inside the office and smiled when seeing Dylan sitting in her desk chair with lunch spread out on the desk. Dylan cupped Kat’s cheeks as Kat leaned across the desk and planted a soft kiss on Dylan’s lips.
“This is a nice surprise,” Kat said, sitting down across from Dylan.
“I missed you, and Haley told me to get over my moping and bring you lunch. So, I did.”
“Well, then.” Kat held up her drink. “To Haley.”
“To Haley.”
Lunch was relatively quiet, Kat enjoying being with Dylan. Once their meal was finished, they both settled on the couch
“Are you ready for tonight?” Dylan asked.
Tonight, Dylan and Emma were spending the night with her. They were having a movie night, and Kat had suggested it would be easier for them to stay over. Emma had accepted for them both before Dylan could get a word out. Even though Kat had tried to get her mom to spend the evening with them, she had opted to stay at Briley’s. It was amazing to see how far her mom had come in such a short amount of time. She was flourishing at being a grandma. At this rate, Griffin, Evan, and Emma, Madison, and her family would get whatever they wanted.
“I am. I’ve got all the movies sorted, plus the food and drinks. I borrowed a few board games from Briley in case you two wanted to play. I changed the sheets on my bed for you and Emma and I’ll take the guest room.” At the look Dylan was giving her, Kat hurried on. “No arguments. My room has a bigger bed and will be perfect for the two of you. Or, if Emma wants her own bed, she can have the guest room and I’ll sleep on the couch.”
“If Emma chooses to sleep in the guest room, we can share your room, but only if that’s something you’re comfortable with.”
“I would love to, but only if it’s what Emma wants.”
“Spending the night in a new place, Emma may have nightmares.”
Kat hugged Dylan closer. “I figured. I’ll probably be scared out of my mind, but as long as you’re there to walk me through it, I’ll be fine.” She kissed Dylan’s cheek. “I love you both and want you to stay, but if you think you shouldn’t or it’s too much, I’ll understand.”
“No, it’s all Emma has been talking about all week. She’s got three bags packed. If I didn’t know any better, I would think she’s moving in with you.”
Kat fondled a curl of Dylan’s hair. “I wouldn’t mind if you both wanted to leave some things at my place. I’ve cleaned out a drawer in my room and part of my closet, just in case.”
Dylan stood and proceeded to straddle Kat’s lap. Kat gripped her hips. “Did you now?”
Kat chuckled and pulled Dylan closer. “You bet. I want you both to know how much you mean to me and Stripes.
He’s also looking forward to two new play buddies.”
“I see.” Dylan wound her arms around Kat’s neck and slipped her hands in Kat’s hair. “Kiss me.”
The kiss left them both breathless. Kat was about to push Dylan down on the couch when there was a knock on her door. Dylan hurriedly pulled away, then stood and gave Kat her hand. “That’s your cue.”
“I’ll be right there,” Kat called to the door and hugged Dylan, lifting her off her feet until they were nose to nose.
“Wow, look how strong you are.”
Kat waggled her eyebrows. “Only for you.”
“I’ll take it, but I really do need to be going.”
“I know.”
Dylan kissed her when Kat set her back on the ground. “We’ll see you tonight.” Dylan ran her hand down Kat’s tank top, then gripped it in her fist and pulled them flush together. “You do look so good in these.”
“I know how much you enjoy them.” Kat made a muscle and groaned when Dylan ran her fingertips along her bicep. She shivered, and Dylan laughed.
“Do you need me to bring anything tonight?”
“Just your daughter.”
“That I can do. Have a good day.” She stopped at the door. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
When she joined the others, Kyle grinned knowingly. “Locking the door now, boss?”
Kat balled up a rag and threw it at him. “Shut up.”
Five hours later, Kat opened her front door to a smiling Emma, but a somber Dylan.
“Ladies, come in.” Kat took the three bags off Dylan and set them by the couch, then pulled Dylan into a one arm hug. What could have happened between lunch and now? “Love, you okay?”
“Fine, but Emma’s a little tired.”
Emma rolled her eyes. “I’m fine, Mom. Kat, I’m fine,” Emma tried to convince them.
“She had a nightmare during her nap but insisted that we still come tonight.”
Kat kissed Dylan on the cheek then knelt in front of Emma, who sat on the couch.
“Hey,” Kat said.
“Yeah.”
“It’s okay to be upset or afraid. I used to have nightmares too. That’s okay. I promise. We don’t have to play games or build with Legos. We can eat dinner, watch a movie, then go to bed.”
“With you and Mom?” Emma wiped at her eyes and Kat felt so helpless.
Kat looked to Dylan who nodded. “Yes, with me and your mom. Briley and I used to have sleepovers all the time.” Kat braced herself when Emma flew into her arms. With a pleading expression, Kat looked up at Dylan, who motioned for her to get up and sit beside her on the couch. They sat there for a while in silence.
Kat was content to hold Emma until her tears stopped. Dylan’s tight hold on her hand helped to keep her grounded. She didn’t want to mess this up. One look at Dylan’s face told her she wasn’t.
“Here, sweetie.” Dylan held a Kleenex up to Emma’s nose and told her to blow, then she took a clean one and wiped her eyes. “Feeling better?” Emma nodded against Kat’s chest.
“Sometimes a good cry is just what you need,” Kat said, and stilled her movements when Emma rose up and looked at her.
“You cry too?”
“I do.” She pushed the hair out of Emma’s eyes. “Do you feel better?” Emma nodded. “Good. That’s all that matters. You can cuddle me anytime and cry whenever you need it.”
“Thank you.”
“Of course.” She pulled Dylan closer when Emma snuggled back into her chest.
“Kat’s right. Crying helps us. And you know you can talk about your nightmare with us if you want, but you don’t have to.”
“Not now.”
“Okay,” Dylan said.
Kat leaned back and closed her eyes. If this was the hard times Dylan was talking about, then Kat thought she could handle it. It this wasn’t, she hoped that whatever was to come she’d know the right thing to do. There was no way she wanted to fail either one of them. She knew one thing for certain, seeing Emma cry was one of the worst things she’d ever experienced in her life and she would do what was necessary to make sure it didn’t happen too much in the future.
Dylan stared at herself in the full-length mirror in Kat’s bedroom and had to admit she looked good in her ball player outfit. She also knew if she looked good, Kat would look phenomenal. Halloween had crept up on them quicker than either one of them expected.
She and Emma had arrived at Kat’s an hour ago to get ready. Iris would join them at six o’clock.
It had taken a bit of convincing on Kat’s part to allow Emma to spend the night with Briley and Leah after the festivities. Briley had asked, and Emma had said yes, stating that they would be across the street if Emma needed Dylan.
Briley and her family were going to watch movies after trick or treating and Emma felt excited about it. Kat had convinced her that it would be a good thing and they were only a phone call and a few hundred feet away. Dylan had only given in when she’d sat down with Briley, notebook in hand, and walked her through the process of cleaning Emma’s prosthetic and how to care for her. Briley became so engrossed in what she was saying, Dylan knew Emma was in good hands.
The thought both scared and excited her. For one, it would be her baby’s first sleepover without her present and for another, it would be her and Kat’s first sleepover alone. It would be a lie if she said she wasn’t nervous, but over the last month, Dylan realized she was ready to take the next step. Their kisses were nice, but she wanted more. Kat’s willingness to allow Dylan to set the pace for their relationship was admirable but for the first time in a long time, Dylan was excited and looking forward to what the night would bring. Even if all they ended up doing was sleeping, she knew being held in Kat’s arms would be enough.
With one final look in the mirror, she headed downstairs to join the rest. Kat was standing by Emma, who was holding a baseball shirt clad Stripes. The sight of all three of them almost took her breath away. How had she gotten so lucky? As if she could feel Dylan thinking about her, Kat looked up.
Kat whistled. “You are the nicest looking shortstop I’ve ever seen.”
Dylan rolled her eyes. “Just because I’m short doesn’t mean I would be the shortstop.” At the bottom of the stairs, she made a twirling motion with her finger and Kat turned around with her arms out stretched. “Nice.”
“Only for you, love. Only for you.”
Dylan turned to Emma, whom Kat had helped dress. “I think we make a good team.”
“We’re awesome, Mom.”
“We are.”
“Come on,” Kat said, calling her over.
For the first time she noticed her mom. “Hey, Mom.”
“Hello, dear. Join them so I can get a picture.”
Kat knelt on one side of Emma’s wheelchair while Dylan knelt on the other side. Emma still had her prosthetic on, but she had been tired all day and Dylan wanted her to have fun and not tire out so easily.
After the picture was taken, she stood and slipped her arms around Kat’s waist. “Are you ready for this?”
“Born ready.”
“Kat’s already promised to help me get the most candy. I’m in a wheelchair, I’m sure I’ll get more.”
“Emma.” Dylan couldn’t believe she’d said that.
“Mom, it’s true. Don’t worry, I’ll share with everybody.”
“That’s…never mind.” She kissed the top of Emma’s head.
“Now, say bye to Stripes,” Kat said. “He can’t go with us.”
Ten minutes later, they were standing in Briley and Leah’s living room and Dylan had to pick her jaw up off the floor. Kat hadn’t been lying when she said they went all out for Halloween. Their theme this year had been D.C. villains. Briley was the Joker. Leah was the Riddler. Evan was Two-Face and Griffin was Catwoman. When Kat had said Leah was making the costumes, now she believed it. They were well-made and fit each of them to a T. Briley looked so smug that Dylan vowed that she,
Kat, and Emma would be competing for the family prize next year. She didn’t see how anyone would beat them this year.
She leaned into Kat and whispered in her ear. “Next year that family prize is ours.” The smile she got from Kat in return was well worth all the time it would take to make their costumes for next Halloween.
“So,” Briley said, rubbing her hands together. “We get candy first then head downtown for the contest.”
Evan added smugly, “We’ve got this.”
Briley beamed and they high-fived each other.
“Now, let’s not get too overconfident,” Leah said. “The last thing we want to do is jinx ourselves.”
“Be real, Tiny. We’ve got this and if we don’t win then none of the judges are D.C. fans.”
“Let’s go,” Leah said, then leaned down to speak to Emma. “Are you ready for tonight?”
“Yes. You guys may win the contest, but I’m going to get the most candy. You can’t beat a kid in a wheelchair.”
The room was dead silent until Briley spoke up. “Well, she’s got us there.”
“Briley.”
“What, Kat? She does. I know Emma is a capable little girl and she’s right. You’ll share though, right?”
“You bet. We’re in this together.”
“Yes, we are.” Briley fist bumped her.
Dylan decided not to intervene and to enjoy the moment for what it was…Emma bonding with them. She knew Emma would be in safe hands tonight and seeing them all joking together made that point clear. Now, she could calm down and do the one thing she’d been thinking about all morning. Getting Kat into bed.
The night dragged on longer than Dylan expected. Briley and her family won for family in the Halloween contest, plus Leah and Briley came in first and second place for individual costumes. Three hours later, she and Kat were headed back to her house.
Emma had said her goodbyes, then settled on the couch with Evan and Griffin to watch a movie. Leah had promised to look after her as if she was one of her own.
Now, her nerves started up. Kat let her hand go when they walked into the living room, so she could set the alarm system. Kat had told her their neighborhood was one of the safest in Garriety, but it never hurt to be safe.
Blueprint for Romance Page 20