A ghost of a smile crossed my face at the memory of the beatdown I’d given him.

From what I’d heard, it had been almost as bad as the one he received shortly after my visit. That time courtesy of Giuseppe. At least that mafioso had kept his word and let me have at him first.

I really hadn’t changed that much, I supposed. Still a work in progress, but one Juliette loved and supported. She was even okay with my “side gigs.”

At the sound of a notification on my phone, I looked down to see a message from Hudson, pulling me back to the present and the fact I was still at my office instead of getting my ass home to my wife for a quiet minute alone.

Hudson: You’ll never guess who I ran into today.

Me: Don’t tell me if I don’t want to know.

Hudson: LOL

Hudson: Ryder Lawson. Remember him? Delta Force. Now works for Delta Shield Security. Oh, and ya know, friends with Carter.

Me: Of course he is. At this point, who isn’t? <eye roll emoji>

Hudson: Aren’t you two best friends now? <winking emoji>

Our paths had crossed at my wedding in June when he’d shockingly accepted my wife’s invitation, attending with his wife and son. But I wasn’t sure if I’d consider us in friend territory yet.

Hudson: Kidding, kidding. Not allowed to replace me. <winking emoji>

Me: I swear, man, you’re becoming softer than I am.

Hudson: I see you want to spar when I get home. We can settle who’s tougher in the ring …

Hudson: Still owe ya some mat time for not telling me about Aruba in the first place. You told Alessandro? Really?

Me: Never gonna let me live that down, are you?

Hudson: Hell no.

Me: Asshole.

Hudson: See. You’re the soft one, not me, man. Speak for yourself.

Me: Yeah, yeah, yeah … Just tell me something else. Something I actually need to hear.

Hudson: I have a feeling Ryder might need an assist soon. Trigger finger itchy?

Me: HFY. Count me in if he calls.

Hudson: Are you learning to text from your son?

Shit, he had a point. I was.

Hudson: Anyway, how are things there?

Me: Your wife is keeping mine busy with the shopping and baby shower planning.

In fact, I hadn’t had sex in two days. Not the norm for us. Juliette had been exhausted every night. So much so, she passed out before we could make love.

Hudson: Sorry about that.

Me: All good. It’s worth it since you’re giving me another nephew.

Izzy had found out she was pregnant four weeks after we all returned from the Italy-Ireland-Scotland trip. Another miracle.

Hudson: I’ll be back tomorrow. I want to see Alessandro and the family before they head out.