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“Mommy and Rae-Rae!” Harper called out fro the moment between them “Come and eat!”
Raevynn laughed as they stood up “Rae-Rae?” she iven her “I kind of like it”
“I’m sure your full name was too much of a mouthful for her, and that’s just what carin
Harper proudly carried a platter of the pancakes she’d helpedtable, and Lucas helped Collin bring the butter, syrup, plates, and utensils, then they all sat down and enjoyed breakfast together
With the kids happy to be at the beach house and hanging with their uncle Collin, who they clearly adored, there was a lot of teasing, laughter, and a little bit of chaos But unlike Raevynn’s hectic world, this was a wonderful, carefree, and fun kind of chaos that lightened her heart and made her smile
She realized it was the kind of happy chaos e
Chapter 12
An hour after their lively breakfast, Raevynn helped Avery and Collin fill a pullable utility wagon with the various beach itee Chairs, towels, sunscreen, an u of drinks, sandwiches, and snacks, and a ton of sand toys for the kids
They all five made the short trek to the beach a few blocks away from the house, and once they found a place on the sand, she and Avery set up an area with the towels and an umbrella, while Collin took the kids closer to the water so they could build sandcastles together He’d taken off his shirt and wore a pair of swim trunks, and Raevynn furtively looked her fill of his solid chest, chiseled abs, and the way his ht
Beneath the shade of the big umbrella, and because it was a Monday and the beach wasn’t crowded, Raevynn didn’t bother wearing the floppy hat or her sunglasses Sitting in one of the fold-out chairs, she watched as Collin got down on his knees in front of Harper and Avery, helping them fill their buckets et sand for their fortress
“Your kids are adorable and so sweet,” Raevynn said, unable to stop the tug of genuine envy pulling at her “I’ married You alere the perfect couple”
Avery glanced at her and smiled “You should have been my maid of honor,” she said softly “You weren’t there physically, but you were in hts that day”
She sed the knot in her throat “Thank you” They’d talked and dreaether, and it was hard to accept how much Raevynn had missed out on Despite her career, she should have kept in touch somehow
“Kevin had to work today but said to tell you hello” Avery paused for a ether sometime”
She knew her friend was referring to herself and Kevin and Collin and Raevynn She didn’t knohat the future held yet, but one thing was certain She would make time for her friendship with Avery “I would really like that”