We’re at the park the next day when Wren announces, “I think we should play a game.” She’s holding Devon in her lap, because for some reason he’s decided that he likes clinging to Wren. I can’t say I blame him. I like clinging to Wren too. Roxy is toddling around picking up sticks, while Anna swings on the swing set. Chase is in his stroller, being the good boy he is.

“What kind of game?” Devon asks, sitting up so he can look Wren in the eye.

She brushes his hair back from his forehead in a gesture that’s so maternal it makes my head spin. “It’s called favorites. Emilio used to play it with us when we were little and he didn’t know us very well. So, he could get to know us.”

“How does it work?” Anna asks, her feet kicking up clouds of dust.

“We get to take turns asking questions, and everyone has to answer, no matter how ridiculous the question is.”

Devon furrows his brow. “That sounds boring.”

“No, it doesn’t. It sounds like fun,” I say. I’ll take any chance I can get to learn more about Wren.

“I don’t want to play,” Devon says, and he jumps out of Wren’s lap and sprints for the swings.

“Me either,” Anna sings out. She’s already running toward the climbing structure.

I sit down next to Wren on the bench. Roxy is toddling a few feet from us. Wren reaches down and plucks Chase out of his stroller so she can balance him on her knee. So domestic. This could be what my life looks like ten years from now.

“I’ll play with you,” I say. “A question for a question.”

She grins. “Deal. The only rule is that if it takes you longer than five seconds, you’re disqualified. You have to answer quickly, so you’ll be honest.”

I lay my hand over my heart. “You think I’d lie?”

“When folks play this game, they tend to try to please people rather than give a truthful answer. So, Emilio’s rule is that if it takes longer than five seconds, it doesn’t count.”

“Sounds fair. When’s your birthday?” I blurt out.

She doesn’t hesitate. “February second. What’s your favorite food?”

“Pizza.” I glance down at her feet. “Favorite type of shoe.”

She flexes her toes, holding her foot in the air. “Flip-flops. What’s your favorite childhood memory?”

“Riding the roller coaster at the amusement park. Which of your sisters is the funniest?”

“Finny.” She’s right. Finny has a mouth like a sailor and a very dry wit. “Were you ever jealous of Ryan?”

“All the time. Still am.” Her eyes narrow. “Have you ever had a dog?” I ask.

“No, but I wouldn’t mind it. When’s your birthday?”

“Tomorrow.” Surprised, she turns her head to look at me but I ask another question. “Are you still in love with Shane?”

She startles for a second but recovers quickly. Well within the five second rule. “No. What’s your favorite mixed drink?”

“Long Island Iced Tea.” She looks at me doubtfully. I chuckle. “Go big or go home. Your favorite food.”

“Mac and cheese. Your favorite color.”

“Whatever you’re wearing.” She rolls her eyes. “Big dog, little dog, or no dog?”

“All of them. Who was your first girlfriend?”

“Janice Malloy. Favorite sport.”

“Duh. Baseball.” She starts to play pat-a-cake with Chase, and Roxy brings me a leaf she found. I tuck it into my pocket. I’ll throw it away later. Anna and Devon are arguing over who can swing higher. “Which of your parents is more stubborn?”

“My mom. How many serious boyfriends have you had?”

She starts to count on her fingers. “Four. How old were you the first time you had sex?”

“Eighteen. How many kids do you want?”

“Three. What kind of fabric softener do you use?”

“I don’t.” I grin at her. “Who was your first kiss?”

She looks down. “My foster father. Before we got adopted.” My jaw drops. She lays her hand on my arm. “It stopped there. I’m okay with it. But you did ask.”

I nod, still trying to catch my breath. She bounces Chase gently when she realizes he’s falling asleep. He grins at her. “Whose turn is it?”

“I’ve lost track. You can go again.”

Questions escape me, because I’m still rolling that last one around in my brain.

“You’re ruining the game, Mick.”

“Your first real kiss,” I blurt out. I scrub a hand across my forehead, trying to wipe the thought of that last one away.

“Greg Donovan. Under the bleachers at a football game. Your favorite dessert.”

“Cheesecake. Dream job?”

“Helping kids out of the foster system. Do you like what you do for work?”

“Love it. How many people have you had sex with?”

“Four. Is there anyone you really dislike?”

“Mr. Mitchell, our next-door neighbor when Ryan and I were little. He still has the airplane I shot into a tree in his yard. Would you still be with Shane if he hadn’t cheated?”

“Yes, probably. Beach or lake?”

“Lake. Mountains or desert?”

“Mountains. Why did you like the roller coaster so much?”

“Because it tore me apart and then it put me back together again. Can you swim?”

“Like a fish. Would you ever go skydiving?”

“Not even if somebody paid me. Favorite fruit?”

“Strawberries.” She stops and stares at me for a moment. Then her eyes narrow and she says clearly, “Why did you and Nicky break up?”

“She did something that I couldn’t get over.” I scoot closer to her on the bench. “Why do you shut me out?”

No hesitation in her answer. “Because I’m scared. Did you love Nicky or her kids more?”

No hesitation in my answer, either. “Her kids, and she knew it. That’s why she dumped me. What would it take for you to let me in all the way?”

“Time. Would you ever consider adopting?”

“Wouldn’t even have to consider it. Yes. Have you ever had sex in public?”

“Not yet. Are you over Nicky?”

I stare at her, willing her to believe me. “Yes.”

Anna and Devon run over just as Alex and Mel step out of the shadows. “We’re tired,” Anna says.

“We should go.” I get up and pick Roxy up, spinning her around like an airplane. We go back to the bus, do a round of diapers, and settle everyone in their car seats with something to drink.

Wren holds up two game controllers. “Wanna play?” she asks me. She shifts nervously.

“Sure.” I start a movie for the kids on the other TV, and then I lean over and kiss Wren on the lips. It’s quick and quiet and comfortable. “Can we come back to some of those questions later?” I ask.

“No. What happens in the game stays in the game.”

I nod and settle back against the seat, but my head is still reeling.