Saxville Seafood is perched on the lake down the street from the lake house. We could have taken the boat, but since we were running late, Kendall's hair would have been wind blown, so we took the car. Maybe next time.
The hostess leads us outside to the deck, where we have a seating area overlooking the lake, with prime seating in the corner near the railing. The sun is low in the sky, and I know the sunset will be priceless tonight. The deck is decorated with white lights draping criss-cross over the pergola. The white fabric weaves through it and moves slightly with the breeze. It’s a perfect night to eat outside. The scorching heat was earlier in the week. Tonight it’s in the low seventies, just perfect for an early dinner outside.
I slide the chair out for Kendall, and my brother does the same for Theresa. They both say, “Thank you.” Kendall’s sparkling smile fills my chest, and my smile grows larger. This woman is my life.
She places her hand on my forearm, and I lean down to kiss her before sitting down.
Logan pipes up, “Get a room, you two,” as he pecks a kiss on Theresa’s cheek.
We’re not competitive at all.
The sun shining reflects off the water as we watch the boats. Pontoons chug along slowly, and speedboats pulling skiers andtubers zoom around the lake. The sound of motors hums in the background as we order.
Kendall and Theresa are talking about the spa. I tell her all the time that the spa was the best business move she could have made. It’s almost bringing in double the business of the salon.
Logan interrupts me as I stare at the most gorgeous woman. “Can you stop eye-fucking her in public?”
I whip my head toward him. “Fuck off. You’re still like that with Theresa.”
“Yeah, she’s the best thing that’s happened to me.”
“You’re lucky she still loves you.”
He punches me in the arm. “How’s everything going?”
I scrub the back of my neck. “Those long days make it all worth it when I can slide into bed and wrap my arms around her—kiss her, f…”
Logan jumps in, “I don’t need those details.”
“Well, you asked.”
Kendall's arm rests on the table, and I can’t refrain from holding her hand. As she continues to talk with Theresa, I feel her squeeze my fingers. It sends a shock through my body. To be loved by this woman is beyond my wildest dreams.
“How’s the boat been running since we did that work on it?” Logan asks.
“It’s been running great. Every chance we get, we’re on the water soaking up the last bit of summer.” I nod up at the sun. “You guys will probably see a very colorful sunset tonight.”
“Theresa loves watching sunsets over the lake, so thanks for inviting us back. You know how she is.”
“You guys should venture over more often,” I say, looking out onto the water.
“We just need to buy a lake house, but nothing has come on the market that’s piqued our interest. Are any of your neighbors selling?”
“I have some feelers out there, but nothing yet.”
“Me too. Something will come up, and it’ll be perfect for us. Patience isn’t my strong suit.”
“No kidding.”
I stare in awe of Kendall. It's fate that she’s even sitting here with me, and I’ll be the best man for her—for us.
Logan interrupts my thoughts as he leans over the table. “How’s Dad been? He seems much more relaxed these past couple of weeks. It’s weird to see him like that.”
“He visited us last night. I was leaving the office, and he asked if he could swing by.”
Ever since Logan and I laid it out on the line for him, he’s been trying to have more traditional father-son relationships with us that aren’t built on bulldozing us. I’m not even sure where my old dad went. It’s eerie, but I like this version of him. It reminds me of when we were young—when things in our family were stable. He’s laughing more, which we haven’t seen in a couple of decades.
“Oh, really?”
