Page 109 (2/2)

Even though it arm out at the gings with a pink t-shirt dress over topI cinched it with a black belt and was good to go

I went out back and founda beer with Marcus Zoey and Zack were running around the backyard with sohtly chaotic, and laughter filled the air I had to adood to be home

I looked over at Marcus, but tried not to stare He earing tight, dark jeans and a t-shirt that hugged his thick, sun-darkened ar beneath the thin fabric and tried to iine what it would be like to feel theht

Of course, as always, he picked that

“There she is!”for

Feeling all kinds of aard for getting caught leering at Marcus – again – I walked over and huggedat Marcus My dad had so with so for an excuse to cook for people Mythem on the table not far from us

The O'Briens fro toward Zoey and Zack

I had really missed this I'd always beeninto the party scene, and never one to stray too far froranted, but I knew I had it good there I had a dad that , which allowed us to live in a beautiful home and able to afford a lot of luxuries in life I also had aus as well as volunteer in the co full-time And of course, I had a sister that ell, a pain in the rear to be honest, but I also loved her dearly Before I left, we'd been very close Butaway had put a distance between us, and that was so

“E lad to have you back home”

Natalie and her husband, Liam, were also parents I'd babysat for at times over the years Everyone knew me on the block because I'd watched everyone's kids Heck, e somehow Maybe, I could become a nanny

“Great to see you too,” I said “How are the kids?”

“Stubborn and loud, as always,” she laughed “But no, really, they're great”

“Glad to hear it,” I said

More people filtered into the backyard, but I foundover at Marcus I so badly wanted to speak to hi his kids, but I didn't knohat to say, adult-to-adult To hiirl next door, the child of his friend And I wasn't sure anything would change that

CHAPTER THREE