She peeked around, through the glass door that led into the office but didn’t see him inside.
“Oh, shit. Sorry.” Levi grimaced. “He went to a meeting at a private client’s house. Another one of Kason’s buddies, a couple hours away. Didn’t he tell you?”
Kayla frowned. Of course they’d assume she and Gavyn spoke more than they did. It was kind of embarrassing to admit they knew her own brother far better than she felt like she did these days. “No, I should have texted. We came up kind of spur of the moment yesterday after we found out there’s going to be a wait for the insurance to come through, so I just stopped over. I should have checked.”
Awkward.
Sevan glanced over at Ransom and Levi. Whatever kind of stare she shot them, they seemed to understand. They backed off and made like they were busy fussing over the component Sevan had probably already fixed perfectly.
Their girl took Kayla’s elbow in her firm grip and steered her toward the outside. They leaned together against the external wall of the garage, Kayla looking over at the handsome house Gavyn shared with his wife, Amber, and their baby son, Noah.
“You know, we have more in common than you might think.” Sevan cleared her throat. “My sister, Joy, was the legitimate daughter in our family. I was the dirty little secret. I know what it’s like to be the black sheep. Not that I think you are, but I can see you feel some kind of way about your brother and your place here.”
Kayla didn’t bother to deny it. Sevan was pretty cool. If she ended up spending more time in Middletown now that Mike, Kate, Joe, and Morgan seemed to be getting pretty cozy there, Kayla wouldn’t mind hanging out with her on the regular. Despite her small stature, she was badass without being cold.
Devon would really appreciate that too. Maybe they should go out some time.
“I appreciate you saying that and I’m sorry your family had their heads up their asses when it came to you.”
“I’m just glad your brother and the rest of the Hot Rides gang have adopted me into their community.” Sevan smiled softly then, making Kayla a tiny bit envious. “Give him a chance and he’ll make sure you feel as welcome as I know you are.” Sevan touched her forearm lightly. “I hadn’t met Gavyn yet when he was really struggling, but I know the man he is now and I think you’ll love this new version of him like we do.”
“I guess that’s why I’m here,” Kayla admitted. “Or why I thought I was. I can come back.”
“You’re not leaving already, are you?” Amber drew their attention. She approached with her gorgeous baby boy balanced on her hip as she crossed the last of the lawn between them. “You just got here!”
“Hey.” Kayla perked up at the sight of the little one. Noah stared at her with eyes she would recognize anywhere.
Sevan’s smile grew. “Your nephew is seriously the cutest damn kid. He’s going to be a heart breaker just like the rest of the people around this place.”
“Does that include you?” Amber teased, eying Sevan’s shorts and the curve of her tight ass peeking out from beneath the frayed hem. “I think you’re giving your guys a heart attack every time you bend over today.”
“Gotta try to keep up.” Sevan shrugged one shoulder and the corner of her mouth kicked up. Kayla thought she really was only now realizing how incredible she truly was.
When Amber leaned in for a hug, Noah smiled and cooed, but not at Kayla. At Sevan.
Of course, because he knew the mechanic and interacted with her every day, whereas Kayla was practically a stranger who’d only seen him a few times in person since he’d been born, although she tried to catch up with Gavyn and Amber on videochat periodically. She needed to make a real effort to do that more often.
Sevan greeted baby Noah and tickled him before Amber turned and tipped her torso toward Kayla. “Would you like to hold him?”
“If he wants me to.” She held her hands out, and to her surprise, Noah reached for her. His miniature fists made grabby motions at her upper arms and she realized he was mesmerized by her colorful tattoos.
“Be careful he doesn’t snatch one of your piercings.” Amber put her hand on her face. “He doesn’t have many manners yet.”
“Or he’s just not used to seeing women like me.” Kayla wondered why all of a sudden she was so out of place. Had losing Bare Natural been that big of a blow to her identity? Did it fundamentally change who she was or her self-worth? It had been a long damn time since she’d felt this insecure about who she was.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Amber asked cautiously. “You’re obviously his coolest auntie.”
Noah giggled as if he was agreeing with his mom, then latched onto one of the side braids Kayla had plaited her hair into that morning. She smiled down at him as he played with it, content to explore while the women talked.
“I guess I’m out of sorts.” Kayla grimaced. “Probably not enough sleep and too much worry. Sorry.”
Amber squished her then, and Noah rested the side of his face against his mother. It was a good damn thing Gavyn had figured out how to save his relationship
