I scoffed.
“Growing up,” he continued, “my mom and I had a tradition. Sunday night was movie night. We’d settle in before the week started and watch rom-coms and eat popcorn. My siblings were all grown up or busy, and Dad played poker with his buddies once a week.”
I was hit with a pang of sadness, knowing that I’d never meet these people. That Vincent wouldn’t know his grandparents.
“Notting Hill,You’ve Got Mail,Serendipity, all the classics.” His lips ticked up on one side. “I liked happy endings. I liked the simplicity of knowing with certainty that the characters were on the right path and making the right choices. Sadly, life doesn’t always turn out like that.”
“Trust me, I get it,” I said. “But the fantasy of the rom-com is nice.”
“I was convinced it wasn’t real.” He lowered his gaze to his lap. “Thathit you like a lightning boltkind of love.”
“It’s not real,” I corrected.
He shook his head. “You’re wrong. When I held Vincent for the first time in the hospital? It hit me just like that. And it was crystal clear that I was in the right place at the right time with the right people. Doing exactly what I was destined to do.” A sigh escaped him. “Be a dad. The stars had aligned to give me my shot at happiness. That’s when the movies finally made sense.”
The sentiment hit me hard, my eyes welling with tears again. Goddamn Jasper and the sweet things he said. His love for Vincent made him even more attractive to me. And there was only so much an exhausted new mom could take.
Chapter 16
Evie
“Relax.” Ruby eyed me as she sipped the cucumber water. “Jasper’s got the baby.”
“Yes,” Frankie added from the cold plunge pool. “He’s basically auditioning for hot dad of the year today. Just let him do his thing.”
I sipped my own cucumber water and rolled my eyes. “I don’t think Icanrelax.”
Ruby glowered at me. “It’s your birthday, and you’ve been through a lot. Today is about girl time and hanging out.”
“Maybe I should text Jasper. Check on Vincent.”
Frankie sat up in the cold plunge pool. How she managed to survive in there for so long was a wonder. “No phones allowed,” she barked. “They said they had to be locked away.”
With a smirk, I reached into my cleavage. “I’m not leaving my phone.”
“Did you seriously stash an entire iPhone in your tits?” Frankie asked, though she suddenly wore an impressed look.
I nodded and tapped out a quick text to Jasper.
He responded immediately with a photo of a happy-looking Vincent gumming on his dad’s tattooed arm.
Okay, fine. They were okay. For now.
“That’s some impressive acreage,” she said, cupping her own small breasts over her bikini top.
Ruby, who was sitting on the edge of the hot tub, dangling her legs in the water, kicked, splashing me. Even though she couldn’t fully enjoy the experience while pregnant, she’d pestered me to get in there and relax. The place was lovely. The lounge was dimly lit, with soft music playing, and in here, with the large whirlpool and cold plunge, we had an incredible view of the Green Mountains. Not to mention access to fluffy white towels and a variety of expensive lotions.
This should have been a birthday dream. Instead, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I should be with Vincent. Jasper had taken care of him plenty of times, but never for more than a few hours. This was a whole day. And while my heart was full of gratitude for my friends, who’d coordinated with him for a special birthday surprise, I was uneasy.
“I just don’t want to do anything wrong.” I set my phone on a low table nearby and lowered myself into the hot water. As I settled, I let out a sigh. Shit, this felt amazing.
Frankie pulled herself out of the cold plunge tub,then rolled her shoulders and shook out her chin-length hair. “You’re doing everything right. When I first met you, I thought you were uptight.”
“Hey.” I splashed her.
She stuck her tongue out at me. “But I’ve watched you adapt,” she went on. “To this town, to your new job, and now to being a mom. You were this big deal city girl in heels, and now look at you.” She waved an arm, gesturing to me. “You’re a real Vermonter.”
Ruby nodded, her lips pressed together. “You’ve grown, kid. You’re more mature.”
