She steps into a hug with only me, wrapping her arms around my middle. Her frame is still so small in my arms, and she smells like she always has. But, unlike all of our hugs since we were old enough to be interested in the opposite sex, this one feels different. I’m not holding her and wishing for more. This is a hug between old friends. Yes, I still love her, but I’m no longer in love with her.
I didn’t think I needed the confirmation, but now I’m glad I have it. My whole heart is pointed in Addison’s direction, and there will be no second-guessing.
“Come here, baby,” Finn says in a kind and slightly possessive voice I’ve never heard him use, something I’m guessing is usually reserved for when they’re alone together. He pulls her from me and into him. Their embrace is different. Her arms are around his neck, her whole body molds to his.
Above her head, he mouths, “Emotional,” his eyes rolling upward.
“I know what you just said.” Her voice is muffled against his chest.
He chuckles, and her head bobs with the movement.
Before Finn can get himself in any more trouble with Lennon, I invite them to see my place. They follow me through the house, and I realize Louisa didn’t come out to chat. She must be somewhere nearby, giving us privacy but most definitely in hearing distance. I’m sure she was curious about my visitors.
I point out the kitchen and tell them about Addison’s baking and the competition, explaining that she’s in town delivering the trial-run baked goods to friends.
Finn spends time looking over the main house and then my cabin. He says he’s collecting ideas for their place.
“I thought you were finished,” I tell him after I’ve completed the tour and we’re standing on the little porch in front of my place.
“I think it’ll always be a work-in-progress. I keep seeing things I want to add or change.”
Lennon steps onto the porch, late to join us because she’d needed to use the bathroom. Something about the baby being parked on her bladder.
“Brady, you’ll have to come out and see the baby. Maybe when he’s born you can visit us?” Hope makes Lennon’s eyebrows lift higher on her forehead.
“Of course I will. Can’t keep me from my godson.”
Lennon makes an annoyed noise, her narrowed gaze flying at Finn. “You asked him without me?”
His palms lift in defense. “Nope. Brady guessed.” He gives me a look, asking for corroboration.
“He didn’t say anything,” I vow, backing up Finn. “Who else would it be?”
“Oh. Okay.” Lennon looks disappointed. She’d wanted to ask me. She gazes out across the small yard and into the trees.
Behind her, Finn mouths the wordemotionalagain, and this time Lennon doesn’t notice.
My lips purse together to keep my laughter silent. Reaching into my pocket, I jingle my car keys. “You guys want to head into town? I can show you some places and maybe find Addison?”
“Yes!” Lennon exclaims, clapping her hands together twice. She leads the charge down the steps and back across the yard. Finn and I follow.
The three of us, back together. It feels good, but now there’s a missing spot where Addison should be.
Hopefully we’ll see her in town, and that spot will be filled.
* * *
“You bought a truck?”Lennon eyes the vehicle. “I guess you’re staying here awhile?”
“I bought it a couple weeks ago because I wanted a way to get around, and I was planning on giving it to the owner of Sweet Escape when I left, but now…” My sentence trails off, but my meaning is loud and clear. Addison has changed everything for me.
Lennon pokes my side before climbing into the back seat. “Brady’s in lo-ove,” she sing-songs.
I nod, pulling my lower lip between my teeth and biting down. “That I am, guys.” Going around the front of the truck, I get in the driver’s seat and Finn gets in the passenger seat.
Lennon meets my eyes in the rearview mirror. She is happy for me, truly happy, and seeing me move on eases her guilt. She doesn’t need to verbalize any of this. Communicating without talking has always existed between us, and I’m pleased to see it still does, at least for now. Someday, it will probably wane. She’ll become a mother and a wife, I’ll become a father and a husband, and what we once shared will have to fade so we can nurture our new roles. But we’ll always be best friends. Always.
Suddenly I’m relieved and overjoyed Lennon and Finn decided to surprise me. I needed their visit, even though I didn’t know it. I needed to know that I could do it, that I could move on without reservation.
