"Kinsey, leave the dishes and come sit on the porch with me," Mama demands as she grabs a few wine glasses from the cabinet.

"If I do that, you'll be doing them later. Let me help Mama. It won't take long."

"Your dad will do them later." She pours us each a glass of red with a heavy hand. I dry my hands and grab the glass from her.

"On his own?" I ask her with a look of surprise. Julian never did anything unless I nagged at him for hours, and when he did do something, he'd have to make sure to let me know.

"He knows I get a little lustful at night if I've had wine," she says, and I now wish I did not ask.

"Mama, no," I groan.

"It's true," she giggles as she takes a hearty sip. "But he also knows I get tired if I'm up too late, so if he sees the bottle, he hurries those evening chores along, and I am always happy to let him!"

So, when I see the wine out, that means... oh lord, I long to go back in time five minutes before I knew this. As we head out the kitchen door, Hunter's mini-me, Harley, comes barreling in. I swear this kid only has one speed, I'm tired just watching him run around.

"Whoa, there, slow down!" Mama laughs as she ruffles his head. "Don't want to make me spill my wine."

"Sorry, Nana!" The little boy finally comes to a stop, his big blue eyes full of sincerity as he looks up at her.

"That's okay, Harley," she ruffles his hair. "What can we get ya?"

I have no idea why Hunter's son is calling my mama nana, but I'm sure she encouraged it.

"Can I please have a cookie?" He flashes a sweet grin as he tilts his head, causing his dark hair to fall into his eyes.

I know he's already had several, and Hunter told him no more after the last one, but my mama is reaching for the cookie jar...

"Harley, did your dad say you could have one?" I ask gently.

"Um... I don't know," his voice lowers, and his eyes drop.

"Maybe we should ask him first?" I suggest it as I kneel so I'm a little closer. "Just so we can make sure it's okay and all. What do you think?"

"Yeah, we better," he agrees as he bobs his little head. "I'll go ask him now."

He takes off running, of course, and I give Mama a look.

"Oh, what's one more cookie," she scoffs as she follows me to the porch.

Hunter is talking to Harley, and my dad is nearby, laughing loudly. Harley runs out to the field, as Hunter throws a football toward him. The cookie seems to be forgotten as the little boy holds his arms out.

Harley nearly catches it, and both my dad and Hunter yell out how close he was, encouraging him. Hunter's never been into sports, so seeing him doing it for his son is very sweet, I can see he's having as much fun as Harley. Harley gets right back in position, so determined for such a little guy. This time, my dad tosses the ball, and he catches it.

Mama and I join in on the hollering and cheering, and the little boy's face is full of pride. He drops the ball on the ground and does a touchdown dance.

"If that ain't the cutest thing." I am smiling fondly as I watch.

"So cute," Mama gushes. "Your dad loves it when he's here."

I can see that as I watch my old man running around the field with Hunter and Harley. Suddenly I'm hit with a moment of sadness. I always wanted kids and here I am, thirty-three and further away than ever. As I sit here with Mama and watch the three of them, I can't help but be overwhelmingly haunted by the what-ifs of it all.

"There you all are. No one answered the door." A snappy voice pulls me from my thoughts as the leggy Amber walks through the backyard. She's in her serving uniform, a white and blue button-down shirt with the logo's Haven's Diner on it, tucked into a blue skirt. Her dark hair is piled high in a messy bun, and her tired face is void of any makeup, yet she's still gorgeous. She walks up to the porch and steps up to it, standing at the very edge of it as if she cannot wait to leave.

"They get so busy playing," Mama says casually.

The boys are still hollering and tossing around the ball. Amber looks towards them as she waves at Harley, who waves back.

"Five more minutes, Mama, please!" he hollers out.

"Five minutes!" she yells back, and then she awkwardly turns to face us again.

"Hi, Amber," I offer a polite smile with my greeting, but her face remains impassive.

"Hello, Kinsey," she says my name like it tastes bad. "Hunter is happy you're home, I'm sure."

"Happy to be home," I ignore her tone and continue. "That was nice of you to give them five more. They're having so much fun."

"I always give them more time," she snaps defensively.

"I wasn't saying you don't," I mumble.

"How was your shift?" Mama changes the subject as I swallow a good gulp of wine.

"Good- busy," Amber says.

"I miss the diner," I muse. "I'll have to stop in soon."

"I'm off this weekend; maybe you could stop in then?" Amber drawls, and as much as I want to bite back, I ignore the obvious snark in her sweetly delivered suggestion.

"I made snickerdoodles. Would you like some cookies to take along with you?" Mama asks, she's a kill 'em with kindness kind of woman. If my mama says, oh bless her, believe me when I say that's not what she's thinking.

"Sure, Betsey, but you don't need to spoil him so much," Amber agrees.

"Oh, it's not even close to spoiling him. Be right back," Mama runs off inside, and Amber sighs.

"I'll keep an eye on her with the sugar," I offer with a short laugh. "I did get her to only make cookies today."

"Betsey's just fine," Amber says haughtily. "Poor thing never had a grandchild to dote on. How sweet that Harley can fill that void for them."

Wow... that was a low blow. Jesus, what is with women using that against me anyway?

"Well, they adore him," I continue to take the higher ground but it's getting harder by the moment.

She waits for me to say something else, but I don't, and I see a flash of surprise in her eyes. I think maybe she wanted to trade barbs, and I admit I have stooped to her level in the past, but I have always tried to respect her.  Silence falls over us as I don't see the point of making anymore small talk, she stands there and I sit, as I silently beg for my mama to hurry up.

"Here are the cookies and I packed you up some soup too." Mama finally breaks the awkward silence as she steps back out and hands Amber a goodie bag.

"Thanks Betsey."

Harley starts running towards Amber, yelling, "Mama! Mama! I caught the big football!"

"You did?" She sets her bag down and scoops him up in her arms. All her coldness melts away as she smiles brightly at her little boy. "That is amazing!"

"He's got an arm on him," My dad agrees as he and Hunter catch up.

"Well, let's get you and your magic arm home for some rest, okay?"

"Okay, Mama," he starts to giggle as she repeatedly starts kissing his cheeks. She then picks the care package back up, as steps off the porch.

"Bye, Franky! Bye, Nana! Bye, Kinsey!" Harley's little head pops up from her shoulder to grin at us.

"Bye, Harley!" we all tell him, my dad chuckling loudly.

"I'll walk you to your car," Hunter says as he falls into step with Amber; they talk politely about Harley as they walk off.

I hope Julian and I will get to that point someday, polite would be a nice change from where we are now. Although I guess once the debts are settled, we won't have to be anything to each other, no ties. How strange that feels... will the man I married one day be a total stranger to me?

"I'll head in and get those dishes done, Hon," my dad quips, squeezing Mama's shoulder as he heads in, and I do my best not to gag.

"I'm going to go help him." Mama winks at me to make it worse.

"Oh, stop!" I groan, and she giggles as she walks inside.

"Hey, Darlin," Hunter comes back around from the front. "You want to come have a drink?"

"Yes!" I jump up eagerly. "Please! I don't think the porch is far enough."

"Far enough?" he questions as I dart off towards his trailer.

"My parents are having sex tonight," I say bluntly as I turn to face him.

"Oh, God!" Hunter's eyes fill with horror. "And you told me this why?"

"You asked," I say as I step into his trailer.

"I didn't ask you that!"

"If I have to know it, so do you."

I step into his kitchenette as he sits at the table and groans.

"How do you even know—" He stops himself. "I probably don't want that answer either."

"Apparently, when the wine is out, if my dad does the dishes, it's on."

Hunter laughs, "Well, good for old Franky and Betsey then."

"Yeah, but I forgot to grab myself a bottle before they went inside. You still got that whiskey, right?"

"There's a white wine for you in the fridge. Can you grab me a beer?"

He bought me wine? I open the fridge to find a box of white wine and nearly tear up. It's silly, I know, but small gestures are something I don't and haven't gotten in a long time. I forgot how nice it feels.

"Thank you," I say as I pour myself a glass straight from the fridge.

"Anytime, trailers always open for you, Kinz."

I grab him a beer and sit down with him. I notice a dimness in his eyes.

"You, okay?"

"I get a little sad when Harley leaves," Hunter admits.

I reach over and squeeze his hand. "I can imagine how hard it must be."

"He does better and better. He didn't even cry tonight. I'm supposed to be happy about that. Means he's adjusting well." Hunter twists the top of his beer and tips it back.

"Screw that, you don't have to be happy about it," I say.

"Good because I'm not," he confesses. "I want him to miss me, damnit."

"Hunter, he does," I assure him. "That little boy loves you to pieces."

"He's my whole world, you know?"

"You're an amazing dad, and he's a great kid. I still can't believe how polite he is!"

"I try," he smiles softly. "And Amber's a good mom, we're figuring out this co-parenting thing."

"I see that." I agree.

"Was she bitchy to you?" he asks with a grimace. "I tried to hurry Harley along when I saw her show up."

"She wasn't too bad."

"Liar," he gives me a look. "Just motion next time, and I'll come to save ya."

"I can handle a little passive aggression," I shrug it off. "She don't like me much, does she?"

"Not one bit," he chuckles. "Sorry."

"Not your fault," I sip my wine. "You don't have to apologize for her anymore."

"Touche," he agrees.

Funny how much we do that, apologize for our spouse's bad behavior as if are responsible for it too. I didn't even realize how often I did it till I stopped.

"How'd it go in town today? Hunter asks. "Your dad said you were looking for a job."

"Terrible," I groan, pausing to sip from my glass. "The stores those city assholes bought include the bookstore! They have the whole thing torn to shreds, Hunter!"

"Sorry, Darlin. I forgot to mention that was one of the stores." Hunter winces.

"I hear they're turning it all into one big store. Not sure what, but I'd guess they'll be hiring once it's ready," Hunter explains.

"Well, they won't be hiring me," I laugh.

"What'd you do?" He's grinning now.

"Went in there and gave the foreman a big earful," I confess.

"Kinsey," he scolds with a deep chuckle.

"It's my bookstore. I was all fired up!" I defend.

The broken book still sits in my front seat. I didn't have the heart to bring it inside in that state. Maybe it should stay as it is, broken forever, like me and Olly.

"Well, the foremen won't have anything to do with hiring decisions for the business," Hunter points out.

"I think he's involved in that company, S&S, or whatever, he seemed to have some power there. Anyway, I told him to pass my message to his boss or the person in charge, so I'm sure he'll warn them not to hire the crazy lady."

"What was your message?"

"I can't remember exactly, but I think I said I'd make them regret the day they made an enemy out of me, might've mentioned raising hell."

"Jesus, Kinz!" Hunter shakes with head with a chuckle. "You been watching mafia movies or something?

"It's hardly funny." I sulk down in my seat. "I didn't know it'd be the only place hiring in town."

"Oh, relax, even if he does have some power, the foreman won't be around when they're hiring."

"I gave him my full name."

"You— didn't."

I nod pathetically, and he cracks up so hard tears fill his eyes, and fuck it, I join in.

"Fuck I missed you, Darlin." He says as we calm down, and he wipes at his eyes. He goes to toss his beer bottle in the bin. "You want more wine?"

"No thanks. Brandi wants to go out tomorrow night. I better be good tonight."

"Where y'all going?"

"We," I give him a little grin. "Are all going to some karaoke bar."

"Oh, I'm going to, am I?"

"Please?" I bat my lashes at him.

"I think I can manage that. If you stay a little longer tonight. Watch a movie with me?" He barters.

"Oh, done, that's a deal," I agree quickly. "The longer I avoid the house, the better."

"Kinz, they're old. They got to be done by now." He starts climbing up to his loft, and I follow him up there.

"I'm still not risking it. Besides, who says it has to be quick just because they're old? They could still take their time and—" I stop myself. "Why am I even..."

"I was just going to ask," Hunter chuckles.

"This is a nice bedroom," I admire the space; it's a decent-sized loft for a trailer with a high enough ceiling for Hunter. The floor has a soft but durable grey carpet, and the built-in bed is topped with a fluffy white comforter. The bed faces a built-in dresser and on top of that sits his television. I plop down on the bed, and Hunter heads over to the other side and climbs beside me.

He curls in next to me and slips one arm around me as I rest my head on his shoulder as he starts scrolling Netflix for a movie.

"That one," I say when he hovers over a chick flick. Hunter, being Hunter, doesn't complain and clicks play.

**

"You're snoring," I poke at Hunter when he nods off again. We both have several times while watching this movie.

"Let's just go to sleep then," he mumbles.

"I don't want to leave; it's comfy," I let my head fall against his big bicep.

"Then don't leave."

"Okay." He's never had to ask me twice, and my parents won't care. They got used to finding us asleep together on the weekends I was home from college. If anything, they were upset to find out it was platonic.

He lifts his body off the bed to grab the blanket from under us, and I help him; we sink back down into his soft mattress. He wraps his strong arms around my waist, flushing my body against his.

"You know something?" I murmur as we start to relax in each other's hold.

"Hm?"

"I've spooned with you more than anyone else, including my ex-husband."

He laughs a low, quiet rumble that vibrates against my chest. "Same, Kinz."

"Pft," I scoff. "Yeah right, Casanova."

"I usually like my space."

"Usually?" I question.

"Yeah, usually, unless I got this one in my arms," he tightens his hold.

My heart flutters like a little damn girl, but I'm not the only one. I can feel the pulse of his heartbeat against my back.

"You remember the first time we ever did this?" he asks.

"Like I could forget," I groan. "That was a horrible night."

"It wasn't all bad," he argues.

"It was so embarrassing. I begged you to stay with me," I remind him.

"You didn't beg, besides I put you in my bed, remember?"

"Yeah, I remember," I softly murmur; those memories of the first time I fell asleep safely cocooned in Hunter Wilde's arms fill me with sweet nostalgia.

"Kinz?" his voice is sleepy.

"Yeah?"

"Next time you ask me to kiss you. I'm not saying no."

It takes exactly eight seconds for what he said to register, and then I gasp. We don't bring stuff up like almost kisses, or sad conversations, or one of the two other terrible nights that took place in his room. We just leave that stuff shoved in a boxed unsaid.

I grew used to that, accepted the, never was, of it all as much as it haunts me, and now he's saying... what exactly? The fluttering in my heart is turning into a pounding, and I can't face him as badly as I want to. If I do, I'm pretty sure my heart will explode, and Hunter is talking about kissing me, so I don't want to die just yet.

"What are you saying?" I finally make words come out.

"I'm saying—" he pauses. "That there's a lot I want to talk to you about, but you just got home, and you're fresh out of your marriage, so maybe not tonight, but soon?"

A hint of insecurity in the question makes me brave enough to face him. I finally wiggle around in his arms and let my eyes meet his. I am overcome with the emotion shining in his cobalt gaze.

"Soon," I confirm in a whisper.

I wonder if I'm dreaming this up until he leans down and presses his lips to my forehead. he lets let them linger there for a long moment, and my entire body tingles as my skin erupts in goosebumps.

"Goodnight, Darlin," he whispers in a husky voice.

"Night, Hunter." Instead of turning around, I press my head against his chest, and he wraps his arms around my back. He winds one of his hands through my hair, slowly running his fingers through it; the sensations lull me into a peaceful sleep.

How and when did teenaged Kinz end up in Hunter's bed?  I won't make you wait long for that answer. The tea about that 'terrible night' will be spilled in the next chapter!  T

Thanks again for reading!