“That’s the point. People who aren’t good at relationships just leave. What exactly do you think a relationship is?”
I hadn’t thought about it like that before. “That’s the point I’m making—I don’t know.”
“You have relationships with a lot of people, Charlie.” He tilts his head toward the front door. “I’d bet almost every person in that room would have you high on their list of who they’d call if they were in trouble. I did call you when I was in trouble, or don’t you remember?”
“I remember.” Mitch wasn’t always the happy, laid-back guy he is today. “You returned the favor. I’m not sure what would have happened to me if you hadn’t forced me to be friends with you.”
It’s about as emotional as I can manage at the moment.
“This is getting borderline embarrassing.”
He laughs, the swing creaking as he pushes it with his foot. “It’s fatherhood. It’s ruined me. The other day after work, I came home to Maddie and Lily dancing and singing in the kitchen. I walked in, and the music was blaring, the sunlight was shining in through the windows, making their red hair glint in the light as they twirled around, and I choked up.”
His statement doesn’t send the normal panicked rejection racing through my blood. My first thought isn’t never. Instead, it’s of Jessica. “I suppose there are worse things than loving your family.”
Just then, the front door opens, and the woman in question walks out, her dark hair loose, swirling around her shoulders. She’s wearing a little white cotton dress that makes her look like a virgin ready to be ravished. A dress she made me promise not to ruin, even though it has these buttons centered between her breasts that are begging to be ripped off. I can’t help thinking she does it on purpose. Just to taunt me.
“We’re getting ready to sit down.” Her hips have a hypnotic sway as she makes her way to me, making my head spin.
“Come here.” I slide my hand around her waist, pulling her toward me.
She comes willingly, her blue eyes flashing as she loops her arms around my neck. “Oh my god, you’re so obsessed with me.”
Mitch laughs, and I can’t help it. I laugh too.
And I feel it, just like Mitch said.
She walked into the room.
And everything in my world got brighter.
Jessica
I can barely contain my excitement as Charlie and I take our seats across from Gracie and James Donovan at the large table. Truth is, I’d almost forgotten about their relationship because everything between Charlie and me is pure bliss. But when I heard about tonight, I’d known this was the perfect opportunity to make sure everything was laid out on the table.
The eldest Donovan brother, Shane, is sitting next to his brother James, his very pregnant wife on his other side.
Cecilia Donovan, with her light, golden-brown hair and glowing skin, is the movie star version of a pregnant woman. Tall and lithe, she’s one of those women whose stomach is the only indication she’s having a baby.
I point a finger at her abdomen. “How far along are you?”
“Eight months.” She smiles at me and rubs her stretched belly. “This is my last trip before I’m forced to stay close to home.”
Sitting across the table from me, Gracie leans over and scoffs at her sister-in-law. “Isn’t it disgusting she looks like that in her third trimester?”
“Hey!” Cecilia exclaims.
My lips twitch. “You look like a supermodel with a basketball under her shirt.”
“I can’t help it.” Cecilia throws up her hands, her grin making her a lot more human. “And I’m not disgusting.”
Shane, a tall, gorgeous blond man with green eyes that appear to be a Donovan family trait, turns to his wife. “Of course you’re not, baby. You’re perfect.”
Cecilia puffs out her bottom lip. “Gracie’s being mean.”
Shane tucks his arm around her and kisses her temple. “Jimmy, take care of your wife.”
The professor tsks at Gracie. “Why do you always cause trouble wherever you go?”