Having her there with all our other friends meant the world. I just wished she’d bite the bullet and move close, permanently. For now, it was enough that she was just thinking about it; that offer to joinNo Surrenderwasstill on the table.
As I spun around again, my eyes landed on my husband, and my heart fluttered. He was listening to something that a few of the guys were saying, but his gaze was glued to me. I could stare into those piercing blue eyes all day long and never tire of it.
Then I noticed Harland in the group, his niece clinging to his leg, and my happiness dipped a bit. I was so glad they were with us, but not under the circumstances they were having to endure. The loss of his sister and brother-in-law, along with taking on guardianship of Willa—a four-year-old who was sad, scared, and wanted her parents back—was taking a toll on the carefree man I’d met previously.
The song ended, and Gramps brought me to a stop. His gaze followed mine, still trained on the group my husband was standing in. But wise beyond his years, Gramps seemed to zero right in on where my thoughts were right then.
“Losing those we love isn’t easy. It takes time to heal.” I brought my eyes to his, and he met mine. Those intelligent eyes shimmered with tears, and I was sure he was thinking of his wife. “We never forget, but it does get easier. That young man and his niece will get through this because he now has all of you.”
My eyes began to water, but I knew he was right. This group that had rallied around me when I needed them had been my saving grace.
“And you,” I told him, my breath hitching with emotion. “You are right; everyone will help them. I just want you to know that I don’t know what I would have ever done without you too, not just Jett.”
I watched Gramps’s throat work as he swallowed whatever feelings were building up before he said, “Grams would have loved you. I have no doubt she would feel the same as I do. You are perfect for our boy.”
He kissed me on the check and then left as I fought not to sob right there on the dance floor. I saw Jett take a step toward me, concern lining his handsome face, but then I was rushed by a mob of screaming ladies, and he froze. His eyes stayed on me, though, watching to see that I was okay.
My husband was a keeper.
The ladies’ hoots, hollers, and laughter as the song changed to “We Are Family” by Sister Sledge had my tears drying. They all began to bounce around, shimmy, and dance with so much freedom. Not joining them was impossible, as always.
They were allfamily.
Every once in a while, my gaze snagged on my husband during the song. His mega-watt smile as he watched me and the fire in his eyes, like he wanted to peel my dress off right then and there, made my breath catch.
And my lady bits, as the ladies liked to call them, tingle.
The funny thing was, every man there was looking at my friends the same way. Even the hottie doctor had his eyes on Val every second, and I was sure they were headed down the aisle one day, too. Heck, Jurnee's parents—who were here as well—were just as much in love now as they were when they met.
It was obvious that all of them couldn’t wait to get their women home either. When the song ended, we all stood still, gathered in a cluster, breathing hard, Dusty’s arm looped through mine.
I wanted her to be as happy as the rest of us. She had joined in, but it wasn’t lost on me that she still struggled with her leg, had to take things slower than the rest of us, and every once in a while, you could see the sadness in her eyes.
Something struck me then.
Looking at her, I then glanced at Harland, and my mind started to spin.
“Nope,” Alley said, grabbing my attention.
Turning back to the group, I looked at her curiously.
“He’s not the right one for our girl here.” Alley pointed at Dusty, whose eyes widened. “Our friend here needs her walking wet dream when it comes to her man.”
Leave it to Alley to pull the laughing snort right out of me.
Everyone started to catch on and add their two cents. We all knew Alley was talking about our sleepover conversation with Dusty and what her fantasy would be.
“Excuse me?” Dusty asked, pulling her arm from mine and placing both fists on her hips. “What in the ever-loving hell are you talking about? I don’t need a man at all.”
Some of the ladies scoffed.
“Sure you do,” Alley told her. “Just not that one. I have a feeling that Harland will have his hands full in the very near future.”
“Oh, I see where you’re going with this,” Teal said.
Jurnee clapped her hands together. “I think you’re right.”
Alley rolled her eyes. “Of course I am.”
