Page 135 of Even Ground

“Are you okay?” Reece asks.

“Did she let you go?”

He sits on the end of the bed. “Your mom knows I’m not here for long. She’s just making the most of it.”

I roll onto my back. “I know, I can’t really begrudge her for it.”

Reece leans over. “I’m going to have a shower. Want to join me?” He nuzzles my nose with his.

“As good as that sounds, no. We’re sleeping in the same room, but Mum might get funny if we shower together.”

He laughs. “Fair enough. I’ll be back shortly.”

Grabbing clean clothes and a towel from the pile Mum left us, he heads along the hallway.

As soon as he leaves for the shower, I pull out my laptop and message Delaney.

Me: Skype?

Delaney: Good timing. Call me.

I click the call icon and smile as her familiar face fills the screen.

“Hey.” She smiles.

“Hey. We’re back from our trip, and I thought I’d check in.”

“Good. I’ve been waiting. Josh told me you two were on a business trip. Did you meet Alex Stone? He’s so cute.”

I laugh. “Even better in person.”

“So, what’s happening with Reece?” My cheeks heat up and Delaney grins. “That good, huh? Where is he?”

“He’s in the shower right now. And things are really good.” I bite my bottom lip. “Looks like I’m coming for a visit.”

Her eyes widen. “When?”

“At the end of next term. Instead of coming here for the holidays, I’ll make the trip over there. I’ll be there for about a week and a half.”

Delaney claps. “Love it. We can go out and do something. Josh’s parents are here around then for Josh’s birthday, so maybe the four of us can go out to celebrate while they look after the kids.”

“How are the kids?”

She moves her computer. Melly comes into sight first, her hands over her eyes. She lifts her hands and pulls a face to a wide-eyed Addison in her rocker. “Peekaboo,” she yells.

“Getting on like a house on fire. Addison found her voice, and Melly got more interested in her little sister.”

“I can’t wait to see them.”

Delaney swings the computer back. “And I can’t wait to see you. I miss you so much.”

I sigh. “I know it’s still a few months away, but I’ll see you soon.”

She grins. “I can’t wait.”

“Me either. I’m gonna give Melly the biggest hug. She’s grown so much.”

Delaney cocks her head. “Seven going on seventeen. She’s more and more like her father every day.”