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“He hasn’t touched my lady lumps in weeks,” Elle said and sighed dramatically.

Zodiac betrayed his dismissive comments by stroking her belly. “I made this.”

Rolling my eyes, I muttered, “Don’t be gross on my couch.”

“It’s my cousin’s couch,” Elle insisted before adding, “And leave Zodiac alone. He’s just proud that his sperm still works at forty. Don’t take things so personally.”

“Where will Sutter be while you’re babysitting?”

“He’s happy to hang out with my parents. He’s been homesick.”

Zodiac scratched at his beard. “Naw, the kid barely misses Little Memphis at all.”

“Sure, baby,” Elle said and stroked where he scratched. “Homesickness is for weenies.”

My irritation over the change in plans and Zodiac’s dirty mouth faded when I saw how Elle and Zodiac watched eachother. These two people didn’t seem to have a single romantic bone in either of their bodies. Yet, they were in love and starting a family. If they could build something real, why couldn’t I? Dan overcame our family’s history to win the heart of someone like Lula.

The key to their happiness was opening themselves up to possible pain and embarrassment. That took the kind of bravery that I wasn’t sure I owned.

Breaking free of Zodiac’s flirty grip, Elle walked over to me. “I know you’re nervous, but that’s why I decided to do this. Now, you won’t have to worry about the girls. They’ll be safe at their home. You can sneak in late without feeling guilty.”

“I don’t think I should stay out too long.”

“That’s the South Dakota version of you talking. Here in Little Memphis, you’re a tough, horny fox.”

“What was I in Baton Rouge?”

“A survivor,” Elle said softly. “You almost died, but you fought to survive. Now, you’ve got a chance to get what you want.”

“What if I try my best and it doesn’t work?”

“If Boone isn’t the guy for you, that doesn’t mean the time you spend together is a waste. You’re having fun and learning what you want. If he isn’t Mister Right, you’ll be ready for the guy who does click with you.”

I thought back to the shooting. Survival hadn’t been about my desire to live as much as my decision not to leave my girls. When I considered how much I would have missed out on if I had died, I felt newly invigorated for my date.

“I really like Boone,” I told Elle, who instantly smiled.

“He doesn’t date, Nova. I’m not trying to put pressure on you, but he’s a good guy with no experience. So, if he says something dumb, don’t point and laugh.”

I smiled at how protective she was of her friends. I also knew she understood how I operated. If I were worried about Boone’s feelings, I wouldn’t obsess about my every choice.

No longer edgy, I nearly ran to the door when Boone arrived. Zodiac answered before I could.

“Welcome to our home,” Zodiac said and gestured for Boone to enter. “The hens have been clucking about you for hours.”

When Elle made a chicken noise, Zodiac immediately returned to the couch to tease her about how her clucking had made her breasts bounce.

“Ignore them,” I told Boone.

I sensed he was about to kiss me. Boone leaned slightly before the girls came running into the house and hollered his name.

“Come see the closet!” Skylar yelled before I gestured for her to turn down her volume.

Nodding, she took his hand and guided him down the hallway. I expected Zodiac to complain about the boogeyman situation, but he was too busy molesting Elle’s baby bump.

“Mama set up the light,” Lyric was telling Boone when I joined them in the bedroom. “Will it scare away the boogeyman?”

“Oh, yeah, that’s a good light,” Boone said and leaned half into the closet. “Real bright and pretty. No way will the boogeyman want to come in here.”