He rubs his hands together, excited and hopeful for the future. I know my brother. He’s an optimist. He can find the silver lining in anything. The guy is the epitome of turning lemons into lemonade.
“I need a change.”
“A change?” Dad asks as he walks back into the lobby of the shop, with Pike right behind him.
“I’m ready to settle down,” Brax tells him.
My father staggers backward, holding his chest. “Am I dying?”
“You better not be,” I say, shaking my head.
I can’t fathom losing my father, and it’s the one thing I don’t like joking about. It hits too close to home because we already lost one parent. I know it’ll happen someday, but I’m not ready for it. I’m too young. He needs to be a grandpa first. I want my kids to have solid memories of my daddy and not just photographs and stories of him.
Dad drops his hand and laughs. “It’s still tickin’. Don’t worry, baby girl.”
“It’s not funny, Dad.”
“So, when are you getting married and who’s the lucky lady?” he asks Brax.
Brax shrugs both shoulders. “Don’t know, but I’m on the hunt.”
“It doesn’t work that way, son. Women aren’t prey. It’ll happen when it happens. I wasn’t expecting to meet someone, and then Tilly showed up. End of story.”
“I want a woman like Tilly,” he says.
I glance up at the ceiling and sigh. “Do you want a servant?”
Brax jerks his chin back, frowning. “Is that what you think Tilly is?”
“No. Tilly’s the best person I know besides Dad. She’s a sweetheart.”
“Exactly. I want a nice girl, and if she can bake cupcakes, it’s an added bonus.”
My dad wraps an arm around my brother and pulls him against his side. “You’re a bonehead, but I love you.”
Brax peers up at our father, looking every bit like the younger version of him. “You know I’m you, right?”
Dad smiles down at him. “I know it. Lord help us all because one is enough.”
“Hey,” Brax says, giving Pike his normal chin-lift greeting.
“Good to see you,” Pike says back, giving him the same stunted chin tick.
Men.
“It’s beautiful up there, Tate. You guys did a great job.”
I can’t wipe the stupid smile off my face at his compliment. “Thank you. I couldn’t have done it without my dad’s help.”
“I’ve got to get back to the bar. It’s my night to work. Catch you all later,” my brother says, peeling himself out of my father’s hold. Before he dips, he gives Gigi a kiss on the cheek. “I missed you.”
“Missed you too, knucklehead,” she says to him as he stalks toward the exit. “We’ll be over later for a beer.”
“Excellent,” he says before he walks out the door and jogs across the street.
“I need to freshen up and unpack,” Gigi says as she tucks herself up against her husband.
“Wylder will be here around nine, and then maybe we can head over for some drinks and food,” I tell her. “Sound good?”
