She leans in, staring straight into my soul. “In a perfect world with no complications, would you love him?”
Tears pool in my eyes, and I roll them, mostly at myself.
“I don’t need perfect,” I respond without a thought. Loving him is not the issue.
It doesn’t require any effort at all.
“Right.” She smiles smugly. “When will you tell them?”
My mouth falls open in a gasp. “Tell whowhat?”
“Tell Nathan it’s over and tell your prince you love him as much as he loves you, of course,” she says, like it’s that simple and this is a Hallmark Christmas movie.
“I can’t do that! What kind of person would I be to dump Nathan for someone else when he’s worked so hard to change his life?” I plead. “And Daniel is an affectionate flirt, Aunt Judy. It’s the game he’s always played with me. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been a willing participant. He makes me laugh and relax and feel safe … and then I feel guilty.”
“Oh, honey. You’re allowed to be happy. That young man outside called in a favor from his brother to cover work,solved your car problem, and turned it into a lovely day of singing together on his own birthday. That’s not a game; that’sintention.” She pauses for the words to sink in. “Sweetheart, there aren’t many like him, and I’m not just biased. Give that boy any challenge and he’ll rise up with a song in his heart and a smile on his face.”
I rub my chest feeling something akin to heartburn.I don’t question Daniel’s character, but I’m beginning to question mine.
I hear Nathan’s voice in the back of my mind, complaining about how I always kick him when he’s down. “Walking away right now would be beyond selfish.”
“Honey, there are so many things wrong with that statement. It’s not selfish to want to be loved by the person best suited for the job. You’re not married. Nathan’s family probably thinks you’re saving him, but his wild oats came up as weeds, and as my dear mama said,that ain’t your row to hoe. If there’s ever a time to be selfish, it’s when you choose a partner. Because lifewillget messy, and you need someone you can trust with not only your life, but his own. Who do you trust, Lucy?”
She’s going straight for the kill.
“Daniel. Always.” There’s no sense in arguing that point.
Aunt Judy tilts her head to the side with a look of satisfaction. “He never complains about your messes. It’s almost like he takes a sad song and makes it better, don’t you think?” She smiles, proud of her analogy.
“Well played, Aunt Judy.” She doesn’t know half of what he’s done for me or that I wear those words on my skin like a promise to myself. The irony isn’t lost on me.
But there’s one thing she doesn’t get—Daniel doesn’t need me.
“I’m right about everything, darlin’.” Her strawberry curls bounce as she tosses her head with a laugh. “You’ll see, but you have to give yourself permission to do what’s best foryou. It’snot as hard as you’re making it. He loves you, and you love him,” she says like it’s all settled, and Istilldon’t know where all this is coming from.
Has he talked to her about me?
Just then Daniel walks in catching the last words. “Loves who?”
He’s flushed and completely soaked in sweat, wiping his reddened face with the shirt he’s supposed to be wearing and chugging from a water bottle.
My body goes numb and blood drains from my face as I watch his arms flex and his throat move as he swallows. I’m staring like I have seen the ghost of … someonereally freaking hot.
Holy, holy, holy.
Mother of chest and abs.
I knew they were there, but I don’t consciously think about it. I’ve seen him shirtless before. Surely, I have. When we played basketball. And once when he woke me up weed-eating outside my window.
Good morning to me.
It was lovely. No complaints. But this is …more.
I would’ve remembered this. I’ll nevernot rememberthis. We hug fairly often. I know he’s solid, but I also know the sun is bright without staring directly into it, burning my retinas like he’s doing now.
Mercy. I can hear my erratic breathing in my ears. Do they hear it?
There’s a dizzying pattern of mostly black ink around his upper right arm and chest that must be new. At least within the last few months. There are roses and thorns, clouds, the sun and moon.
