“What makes you think that?” she demands, her tone shifting.
“He seems dead set on finding someone who shares those core values you mentioned, getting married, and starting a family. Which makes me an inconvenient distraction.”
She clicks her tongue, and I’m worried I’ve upset her again. “He didn’t actually say that last part, did he?”
I search my memory and come up short. “I’m paraphrasing. But it’s my fault. I’ve told him a few times I’m not in a position to evenconsider the kind of relationship he’s looking for. And that’s why we settled on an awkward friendship, I guess.”
“That son of a biscuit eater,” she grumbles, making me smile. “He really is dumber than I thought.”
I chuckle quietly. “In his defense, I wasn’t exactly shy about what I wanted from him that first night. I can’t fault him for paying attention to what kind of woman I am.”
Her expression turns sour again. “And what kind of woman do you think you are? Because as far as I can tell, you’re generous and loyal, you’re intimidatingly beautiful, and you’re constantly putting everyone else’s feelings before your own. In fact, I can’t rightly understand why the heck you’ve been so nice to Rowan at all, unless it’s because you didn’t wantmeto worry about him.”
I look away when her words make my chest tighten and my eyes sting. “I think you’re confusing me with someone else, but it’s still really nice of you to say it.”
“See? You’re humble, too.”
“And you have a knack for seeing the best in people,” I say, standing and collecting the last of the dishes Rowan missed earlier.
“What I have is half a mind to kick my brother’s ass right about now,” she retorts, then claps a hand over her mouth once she hears her own language.
“I appreciate it, but I think I’m capable of handling him on my own,” I fib once I’m done cackling at her. “I’ll just be grateful if you don’t disown me after all this.”
“Claire,” she whines, her eyes watering, and I can’t help it when mine run over at the sight of her. She scurries around the table and wraps her arms around me, and I sniffle over her shoulder, an empty glass in each of my hands. “Of course we’re still friends. In fact, Rowan can get in line. I saw you first.”
I laugh through my tears. “You’re still my favorite LaFleur. And the most adorable one, as far as I’m concerned.”
“I’m a Reed now. So it’s perfectly fine if my brother becomes your favorite LaFleur,” she mumbles, squeezing me again before sheloosens her grip and steps away. “You do know what all this means, though, right?”
I shake my head as I wipe my nose on my shoulder.
“You could becomemyfavorite LaFleur,” she declares with a grin.
I flash her a rueful smile. “I’m sorry, Daze. But I don’t think I’ll be changing my last name ever again.”
She frowns. “But I’ve already let my imagination run away with the idea of you and Rowan getting married. So you and I could get pregnant at the same time and raise our babies as sibling-cousins, just like Loren and Tenley,” she rambles.
“And how did you manage that when you only found out there was even a possibility of a Rowan and me within the last ten minutes?” I object.
“Oh, no, I’ve been plotting this since you told me you were getting divorced, and then again once I saw you two talking at my wedding reception,” she replies cheerily, and I laugh again, even though my chest aches at her mention of having babies together.
“I really am sorry, but I’m afraid that’s impossible. I love you for dreaming it up, though,” I say, attempting to hide the sadness in my voice.
“I wouldn’t rule it out if I were you,” she continues, ignoring my protest and gesturing for me to follow her into the kitchen. “I’ve got a pretty long and influential list of intercessory prayer contacts.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
rowan
I groanwhen I realize the footsteps on the porch are too heavy to be anyone’s but Landry’s.
“You really must have drawn the short stick,” I remark, since I’ve never known him to initiate a conversation if there’s even a chance of someone bringing up their feelings.
“Yeah. Claire’s not your biggest fan at the moment, and I’m afraid Daisy’s lost her hero,” he says plainly, grunting as he makes himself comfortable beside me. “I’m the only one who finds this entertaining.”
“And which vices are you out here to congratulate me on?” I ask mockingly.
“The fun ones?” His eyebrow quirks as he tries to keep his expression serious. “For the record, I don’t mind that you’re human. I might even like you a little better now,” he adds when I don’t respond right away.
