“Yes…” I say slowly. “That’s what a good host does when one of their animals steals and slobbers all over it.”
Will chuckles. “Bright pink, I hear. Grumps must like the color.”
“What do you mean?”
“Ugh,” Birdie grumbles. “Because Blair’s panties aren’t the only pair ofpinkclothin’ Grumps has taken a shine to.”
“You too?” I ask, eyes wide.A donkey with a penchant for pink underwear. Who would’ve thought.
“Yep.” She shoots Isla a knowing look, one that spells trouble for me if I’m reading it right. “But that’s not the point. We just want you to keep an open mind, that’s all.”
Isla rubs my arm. “You never know when or how your One will come into your life. Look at me and Case. We had no idea that one night in Anchorage would lead us to where we are now.”
“And I’m so happy that you and my brother found each other. Both of you,” I add, nodding toward Will and Birdie too. “That doesn’t mean this is my time.”
“We’re just lookin’ out for you. Blair’s lovely. And she’s a doctor. She has a callin’ to help people, just like you do.” Yeah, and no one knows that it was Blair that unwittingly led me to change career paths all those years ago—let alone the woman herself.
“How about I promise that I’ll keep an open mind.”
“Yay!” Both women grin, looking very pleased for themselves.
“But,” I glance between them, “only if you stop tryin’ to play matchmaker. We already have a mountain spirit doin’ that and I don’t need mysisterstryin’ to be Cupid as well. If it’s meant to happen, it will. OK?”
Will wraps his arm around Birdie’s waist. “He’s got a point, Sunshine.”
She sighs. “I know. I promise, Sutt. We just want you to find what we have.”
“I know, and I appreciate it.”But there’s already a hell of a lot more to this than just girl meets boy.
I focus back on finishing my pizza, adding some olives, sundried tomatoes, basil, and then the cheese.
While Birdie, Will, and Isla chat about different toppings and flavor combinations, I step back and glance out the window. I find myself smiling as I catch Blair laughing with her uncle and Jessica.
My thoughts drift back to how different Blair seems now compared to the young, ambitious, light-up-a-room woman I watched across the quad.
She looks the same–better actually–but there’s a shadow to her features that I want to understand. She’s still vibrant, butanyone can see there’s a lot weighing on her.Or maybeshe’s just tired.
I’m not surprised that she seems to have settled in effortlessly, and I’m glad she doesn’t seem to be holding the somewhat chaotic start to her stay here against me.
There’s also the undeniable tingle I felt when she slid her hand into mine. An innocent, non-meaningful gesture that has been distracting me all morning.
There’s also the cheeky glimpse into her personality she gave me before leaving the garden. It was a glimpse of what I’m guessing is her natural energy. It’s something that’s always drawn me to a woman.
Despite what I said to Birdie and Isla, I can admit that I’m just as intrigued by Blair now as I was back at college. Even if I’m a different man now to the boy I was then.
My focus is no longer on fitting in but finding a place in the world where I’m valued, respected, andseen. A place I’ve always had in my family, and one I’ve found at the hospital with my colleagues and even with the patients I treat.
What I don’t know is whether Blair is someone else I could add to that list.
That’s something only time and getting to know each other better will tell.
“Ready to go wow everyone with our creations, Sutt?” Birdie asks behind me.
I grin, feeling confident that my pizza creation will be one of the chosen few. “Absolutely. Time to show them what they’re up against.”
“Wow, those look unreal!” Jude says, leaning in to get a better look as we come to stop at the group. “I can’t wait to try them. Sutt’s looks even better than mine did.”
I pat his shoulder. “I’m glad you can admit I might be better at somethin’ than you, baby brother.”
