"The next time you're rolling around on the floor, please try to have fun while you do it." I patted his forearm. "Perhaps you'll meet someone who shares those interests this evening. You know what they say about single women and weddings."
Here I was, thirty-five years old, living in my hometown, and meddling my ass off as mothers have since the dawn of time. Even in my worst nightmares, I'd never imagined this would be my life.
And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
"Don't start with that again, Brooke," Nate warned. "I appreciate your concern, but I can't get involved with anyone. Not yet."
"I know, sweetie. I'm just saying this"—I circled both hands at his tightly bunched shoulders and stiff jaw—"might benefit from a night of rolling around on the floor with someone." Before he could respond, I held up a finger, silencing him. "Do you want me to explain how one-night stands work? I will. I'll give you the overview right now. Better yet, I'll grab Annette. We'll do it together."
"Please don't." Nate shook his head. "None of that is necessary. None of it at all. Not a single word.“
"Let me know if you change your mind," I said, backing down the hall.
"I promise you, I won't," he called.
"But if you do," I shouted back.
"But I won't," he replied, his laugh echoing after him.
I stepped into the room designated for wedding preparations. Wrapped bouquets sat in low vases with just enough water to keep them perky. Hairspray and makeup littered the tabletop.
I glanced at my reflection in the mirror, smoothing my hands down the long dress. I never would've selected this style for myself, but Annette convinced me to try it on and the rest was history. I looked different now, my hips wider and my breasts fuller, but I recognized myself. I was my kind of perfect.
From the hallway, I heard, "Where is my wife? No, I've been out there already. This place isn’t that big. I should be able to find one tiny woman without—”
The door opened and I met Jed's gaze in the mirror. My lips pulled up in a smile.
“There you are,” he said, our son squirming against his chest. “I’ve been looking everywhere.”
My husband’s large hand covered the entirety of the baby’s back, and if that wasn’t enough to arouse me in the strangest ways, the burp cloth over his shoulder sealed the deal. Another bit of strange-but-true sources of arousal: my husband’s wedding ring.
The baby, the towel, and the ring.Fuck me.It wasn’t even fair.
“I heard you,” I replied, holding out my hands for Elliott. “Is he hungry again?”
Jed crossed the room and shifted the infant to my arms. Elliott was a sweet, squishy ball of baby with my eyes and his father’s hair and coloring.
“Much like everyone else around here, he just wants your attention.” He leaned in, kissed my forehead. “This production is nice for Jackson and Annette, but I’m so fucking happy I married you in the backyard last month.”
I never would’ve chose this place or these people for myself, but now I couldn’t imagine choosing anything else. “Me too.”
