Part 11 (1/2)

Before Holly can answer, Mia, Kelly's daughter comes running and falls down, tripping over the rug in the middle of my room.

I scoop her up instantly just as her tears come.

”It's okay, sweet thing.” I console her, holding her close in my arms.

”You're a natural.” Holly smirks, eyeing me carefully.

”Oh, I love kids. Some days I wish I would've had one, but then I realize I'm so glad I didn't. Having a child in a marriage like mine would have been tragic.” Mia finally settles, her little five-year-old fingers playing with the gold necklace my nan gave me.

”Well, it's not too late, Kenzie.”

”Please, I'm thirty-five. I missed the baby making boat.”

”Please, you're like the average childbearing age these days, right? You still have time.”

”Well, I don't see myself dating, getting married and having a kid all within the year.”

”I think you're off to a good start, moving in with Beau.”

”What?” I nearly choke on the shock that she just called me out.

”Oh, come on, Mackenzie. You're telling me this is just a housemate situation?” She lifts her right hand and bounces her pointer and middle finger on the word housemate.

”I have no idea what you're talking about.” I avoid her eyes. The last thing I need is her putting any ideas in my head.

Beau and I are friends and we don't think of each other as anything more.

I almost believe it.

”If you say so.” She smirks, letting me off the hook.

”Kez.” Mia pulls back and points to something over my shoulder. I spin around and follow her direction. She can't manage my full name, so she settles with Kez.

”What is it?” I ask, watching her point to a packet of Starburst. ”Ahhh, candy. You have to ask your mom.” I place her on her feet and she runs out as fast as she came in to ask Kelly for permission.

”You hungry?” I turn back to Holly, ready for lunch.

”I have to get going. My mom and dad are coming over for dinner tonight and my house is a mess.” She stands, adjusting X as she goes.

”Well, thank you for helping me settle in.” I follow her out and down the hall back to the living area.

”I barely did much.” She winks, then bends to pick up X's diaper bag off the sofa. ”Kell, Beau, I'm out,” she calls to them in the kitchen.

Beau appears first, Kelly following close behind with Mia chomping into a cookie. Guess she forgot about the candy.

”Yeah I should head out too.” Kelly turns and walks back to the kitchen to fetch her belongings.

”I'll help you put him in the car.” Beau steps forward and reaches for X.

”No, it's fine, you stay.” She pulls back, only to offer him her cheek for a kiss.

”You still p.i.s.sed I'm taking your girl?” Beau lifts his brow, not missing her att.i.tude.

”Who's gonna bake me all those goodies every week?” She winks at me but levels her stare back at Beau.

”She was gonna go and live in some c.r.a.ppy apartment complex Hunter lives in. It probably didn't even have a functioning oven. I have one that works. She's better off here.” He leans down and pecks her cheek as she rolls her eyes, realizing he has a point.

”Behave,” she warns, pulling back. She then turns and leaves.

”Okay, I'm off, too.” Kelly returns all packed up and ready to go. ”If you need anything, Mackenzie, you have my numbers.” She kisses my cheek then lets me kiss Mia goodbye.

”I'll be sure to let you know,” I tell her, watching her say goodbye to Beau.

”And don't forget, Beau. We have the meeting with the lawyer on Wednesday, to go over everything.” Beau turns to me. A strange look falls over his face before answering.

”Yeah, I haven't forgotten. I'll be there.”

Feeling like he doesn't want me to know what their meeting is about, I leave them to talk in private and set about making some lunch. Not sure what Beau's plans are for the rest of the day, I make us both a sandwich. His cabinets and fridge look miserable and I make a mental note to start a list. Now I'm living here at minimal rent, the least I can do is keep on top of these things. When I've managed to put together a decent lunch, Beau walks in.

”You hungry?” I ask, handing him his plate.

”Starved.” I follow him over to the table and take a seat opposite him. ”Looks good, darlin'.” He digs in then looks up and gives me a wink, mouth full of food.

Friends.

I remind myself as I start eating.

It's what we've been doing at the clubhouse anyway. There's no reason for this to be awkward. I continue to have my conversation in my head.

It isn't until I've finished eating, cleaned up lunch and found my way back to my room, I realize we didn't say another word to each other.

Oh, G.o.d, it's already awkward.

”Mackenzie! Have you seen my coffee mug?” Beau shouts down the hall a few days later. I just stepped out of the shower and was about to dry my hair when I hear him banging around.

”In the cabinet,” I shout back as I run my comb through my hair.

”It's not!”

I roll my eyes, ignoring his annoyance and walk out to the kitchen. He's searching in the wrong cabinet with his bare back to me when I walk in.

”It is. I put it in there last night,” I tell him, reaching up and opening the door to show him the mugs.