This was one of those things she suspected they’d never agree on. At least not until she was ready to agree to it, which made her feel a little guilty, but rather than dwell on those thoughts now, she pushed them aside. They’d inevitably have to talk about it more when they talked about names for the baby, but not now. Not on Evan’s birthday. “I can’t imagine calling me Miss Stone helps you get over it. But I’m sorry for calling attention to it. Definitely broke the rules of the avoiding game with that one.” She offered a smile in an effort to dismiss the topic.
“Nothing’s going to happen to you.” He kept telling her that, after all. Amusement came back to her expression. “And why am I not second in command? Not that I want leadership, but as the leader’s girlfriend…” She trailed off, not at all pursuing it as a serious topic. “Besides, I don’t know if Brandon wants to be a leader anyway.” Or if he should have it.
Leah couldn’t exactly say that she understood, but her heart went out to him. After all, he’d had to pull the trigger and end his best friend’s life. That wasn’t something one recovered from easily. Especially considering the family Elliot had left behind. She nodded, but lacked anything comforting to say.
“You don’t have to admit to it.” Leah raised her eyebrows and forced back a smirk. “I know how you work, Frenchie, then and now.”
Leah snorted and rubbed his jaw affectionately. “You used to, but I think the word sexy was only used to annoy me back in the day.” She paused, then added, “But I do think that if I have to put on some weight, you should, too. It seems only fair.”
She looked at their hands when Evan closed her fingers over the necklace. “Less likely to be stolen again, too,” she added another reason, although she was still uncertain. “If you change your mind, though, I won’t be offended.” She slipped the necklace back into her pocket so that she wouldn’t lose it.
“Did you want to stay up here a little longer, or head back inside?” It was fully dark now, so they didn’t have much of a view.