I was worried about how she would take the news that I was back with Luke. I had been texting with her, so she knew it was a possibility, but seeing it in person made it seem so much more real. I looked at her, unsure of how to bring it up. I shouldn’t have worried though. Jane always knew just what to say. “I’m glad you’re back, Luke. You should have never left.” She smiled sadly. She was my roommate and best friend, then later my sister-in-law. She knew how I’d always felt about Luke, and I hoped she knew that I would always love Will too.
This situation had awkward written all over it.
“We’re not going to be awkward,” she said, as if reading my mind. I didn’t know what to say to that. Apparently, Luke didn’t either because we both just looked at her with big eyes.
Madison held my hand, and Mikey, for once, didn’t say a word.
Jane continued, “It’s just—I love you, Lily.”
Then she looked at Luke. “I missed you when you were gone, Luke. You were a good friend, and I hope we can be friends again.” A determined look crossed her face. “My brother was no fool. Will knew the score when he went after you, Lily. But he’s gone. He wouldn’t want you to be alone. I don’t want you to be alone, and I don’t want you to feel weird around me. I’m happy for you. I believe, from the bottom of my heart, that Will would be happy for you too, so—no awkward, zero weirdness. We’re moving forward. Onward and upward and all that jazz.”
I hugged her again. “I love you, Jane.”
She smiled and hugged me back. “I love you too. Always. Is your dad around? We should give him the envelope. What if it’s important?”
“No, but he will be soon. Let’s go in. Mom and Gram are cooking dinner, and you know them—the more, the merrier.”
“Awesome. I love your mom’s food. Um, is Asher here?” She looked nervous. Jane had a massive, hopelessly-devoted-to-him, heart-eyed-emoji-come-to-life crush on my big brother. Asher was deliberately unaware of it, and it was heartbreaking to witness.
“He’s working,” Luke answered gently. “I bribed him into taking a meeting for me so I could be here, and it doesn’t start until six, so it will be a late night for him.”
Luke knew about Jane’s crush. Heck, everyone knew about it. She had been crushing on Asher for years, ever since the moment she first saw him when he was helping me unload boxes into our dorm room.
We all looked down at Mikey when he let out a huge, dramatic sigh. “You guys done talking yet? I’m ready to see Dylan now, and it’s getting real hard to be polite and quiet and patient. I’m only six, you know. I’m pretty sure I’ve reached my limit.”
At that point, he started jumping up and down, and Madison started giggling. I took both of their hands and ran them up to the front door, much to the amusement of Luke and Jane, who followed at a more sedate pace. Mikey rang the bell, I knocked, and it only took a moment for my mother to open the door with Calla in her arms. Dylan, Mark, and Mara were right behind her with Rocky bringing up the rear. Mikey immediately shouted for Dylan when the door opened, letting him know that he would be moving here for good.
“Mikey!” Dylan shouted back. “I’m so happy!” They hugged and jumped up and down amid shouts of “I missed you,” the giggles of the other kids, and the barks from an excited Rocky. Dylan gestured to Mark. “This is Mark. He’s going to be our best friend. And this is Rocky, the best dog ever.” Rocky accepted a rubdown from Mikey, then licked hisface. “Oh, and this is Mara.” Mara rolled her eyes, but then she saw Madison.
“Hi,” Mara said. Madison smiled, and I witnessed the birth of a new friendship as they ran off together up the stairs followed by the boys. Rocky looked plaintively up at Luke. Luke nodded, then Rocky bounded up the stairs after the kids.
The stairs led into a small living room that was open to the foyer and sitting room below. I watched the girls head into the playroom as the boys sat on the huge, overstuffed sectional with Jude. The sounds of a game coming from the television filtered down. I waved to Jude, who was sitting there, remote in hand. He waved back, then turned his attention to the television after high-fiving the boys and passing them a bag of chips. I focused on Calla in my mother’s arms and kissed her chubby cheeks, making her giggle. She patted my face, then reached for Luke, who took her with a huge smile.
“Someone needs to have a baby for Calla to play with,” my mom said with a wink directed at Luke. Then she turned to embrace Jane. “Jane, honey, I’m so glad to see you. You’re just in time for dinner. What brings you over?”
“I have something for Ben. From Will. I opened the family safe deposit box and found it. It’s in my bag.” She patted her big purse.
“Well, put that bag down for now, darling. You can show Ben when he gets here. In the meantime, let’s go have a glass of wine and catch up. Dinner is almost ready and nibbles are out, so it’s time to relax.” They headed into the kitchen arm in arm, leaving me with Luke. I watched him snuggle Calla. I saw her totally at ease in his arms as she patted his face and babbled at him. At that moment, everything that had been weighing on me floated away, and my heart smiled.
I beamed up at Luke. “That went well. I think Jane will be okay with all of this. Let’s take Dylan to the park tomorrow and tell him. Then I can put the ring back on, and we can have a big ol’ party and tell everyone else. Or just tell my motherand let her spread the word.” I couldn’t help it, I was bouncing on my feet just like Mikey had been earlier. I was excited. I was happy. I’d just had great sex—so much great sex. I was still tingly, I felt awesome, and the best part was it would happen again. Soon.
Luke smiled down at me as Calla tugged on his beard and giggled. “You got it, baby. But no to the park, too risky. We can go to my place instead.”
“Perfect. I’m so happy, Luke. I almost can’t stand it.”
He leaned down and kissed me. That intense, on-a-mission look was back in his eyes. “I’ve been dreaming of you for so long, Lily, I’m not sure I’m awake. I love you.”
“Love you back, Luke.” Then I pinched his behind and grinned when he jumped. “See? We’re awake, even though this feels like a dream come true.” I watched his swift intake of breath and saw his shoulders relax as he nodded and grinned back at me.
Chapter 27
Lily
Iwatched Jane jump in her seat at the kitchen island as my dad’s booming voice shouted hello from the living room. She turned to me with a nervous giggle.
“Want me to come with you to show him the safety deposit stuff?” I asked through a mouthful of cupcake. My mother hadn’t been lying about the “nibbles.” There was food everywhere.
She nodded and we got up to greet my dad at the door.
