“Ignore me all you want,” Kevin continued. “I just think it’s important for you to know that love doesn’t have to be scary. When you find the right person, itallsnaps into place. And that feels damn good. Like a homecoming to a place you’ve never been.”
Yeah, I knew exactly what he was talking about, because I’d experienced it with Gwen. Being with her was so easy. And sexy as hell. It was a balance of passion and comfort that I’d never experienced before.
I could feel Kevin glancing at me as I taped, but I was in no mood to continue talking about Gwen. It felt like pressing on a bruise.
“How’s the job?” I finally asked him. “Your passenger feedback has been exceptional. People are requesting you now.”
Kevin laughed at me. “That’s the absolute worst pivot I’ve ever heard, but okay, we can move on. The job is…fine.”
“That’s it? Fine?”
“It’s doing what it’s supposed to. Paying the bills and helping us get ready for our new addition. The benefits are amazing. I’m going to do my best to hold out until he or she is ready for braces and college tuition.”
Sydney walked in with two beers. “Or you can quit and go back to the job you truly love.”
“I thought I told you to stay out, woman!” Kevin teased as he took one.
“The paint cans are still sealed, so shut your mouth,” she bantered back.
She held a bottle out to me, and I shook my head. “I’m good, thanks.”
“Doesn’t seem like it,” she said under her breath.
“Anyway,” Kevin said as he reached up to stick another piece of tape along the ceiling. “My job is to provide for my family, and Ashford Jets is allowing me to do that in a big way. So I’ll suck it up and deal with the spoiled brats and a-holes.”
Sydney walked over to him and threaded her arms around his waist from behind. “I just want you to be happy, babe. I can tell how much stress you’re shoving down. We can make things work no matter what, so if this job gets to be too much, just go back to teaching. I’d rather be happy and poor than miserable and rich.”
“Yeah, and I’d rather not go into medical debt when you give birth to the first of our seven children-to-be.”
Sydney jumped away from him and smacked his back. “Seven? Says who?”
I laughed at them. “Damn, you’re going to be busy.”
“Not happening,” she scolded Kevin. “Maybe there’s a way to vet his passengers so it’s not the nonstop party people? He comes home from flying you in thebestmood, so I know it’s possible for him to enjoy his work.”
“Well, we’ve been trying to only give him our Platinum Business guests…”
Kevin pulled a face. “Yeah, those platinum finance bros are nearly as bad as the influencers.”
“We need to figure it out. I hate seeing you stressed,” Sydney said. “And it won’t be good for the baby either. This is supposed to be a magical time, but you come home with your shoulders up by your ears.”
“And here I thought I was doing a good job hiding it from you,” he said softly. “I’m sorry, babe.”
She put her hands on Kevin’s shoulders and stared into his eyes. Suddenly, they were the only two people in the room—or possibly in the world. “I know you. I see you. And I want you to be happy.”
He palmed her cheek and smiled at her. “I love you so fucking much. Do you know that?”
“Yeah, I do.”
I turned my back to them as they hugged, trying to make sense of the warring emotions inside of me. I was so happyfor the relationship my best friend had grown with Sydney, but witnessing their connection set off an ache inside of me.
I’d come damn close to knowing what that kind of love felt like, and I’d let it slip away.
“Okay, back to work,” Sydney chirped. “Can I bring you guys anything?”
“I’m all set,” I replied quickly.
“Same. We’re just about done taping, and you know what that means?”
