Hutch nods. “Famished.”
As if timed, Jocelyn walks up to Hutch and kisses the top of his head. He pulls her into his lap, and she giggles as she wraps her arms around his neck and kisses his cheek. He whispers something in her ear, and her cheeks turn red.
“Eat,” he says as he brings a forkful of eggs to her lips. She rolls her eyes but complies. I watch the intimate moment until the look between them becomes so fiery that I have to look away. God, what I wouldn’t give to have that.
Al sits down next to me. “Aww, those two are so in love, aren’t they?” he says. I can tell he’s smiling by the sound of his voice. I look over, and he grins at me. “Nothing like love, is there?”
I grunt and sip my cappuccino.
Al leans back and surveys me. I suddenly feel like a kid in the principal’s office. I level a stare at him.
He chuckles. “You need to let go more often, Brayden. You’re too in your head and not enough in your heart. Life is going to happen regardless of what fortress you build around yourself for protection. Live a little. As far as we know, we only get this one shot at it. Might as well make it count,” Al states as he motions around us. I survey our surroundings. Roxy has just walked over to Gray, and they are deep in conversation, talking as if the rest of us don’t exist. Jocelyn is still on Hutch’s lap. Kasen has arrived hand in hand with Piper. And Fletcher and Cam are walking into the kitchen, his hand on her lower back. All of my good friends are with someone. Hell, even Lanie got married a few years ago. Maybe Al is right?
Then I see Carly and Ava walking up the path. Ava’s skipping while holding her mom’s hand. The two are deep in conversation. Carly tosses her head back and laughs at something Ava has said. Ava smiles up at her. I swallow back down the feelings that just bubbled to the surface. I need to keep this a friendship. If things went wrong, it’d crush Ava and Carly, and I’d never want to hurt them.
But maybe Gray is right. Maybe I should help Carly out. I’m contemplating that as she approaches our table.
“Guess what?” she says as she looks at Al and me.
“What?” Al answers as he pats his knee, and Ava climbs into his lap. He pulls out some paper and a pen from his shirt pocket, and they start playing tic-tac-toe.
“The tasting room is having a food pairing tonight. If I can get someone to watch Ava, I think I might go,” Carly announces.
Al smiles and gives me side eye. It takes all of my concentration to keep my facial muscles neutral.
“I can watch Ava,” Al says. “I was planning on having a relaxing evening. I heard there’s a great pizza place in town. Ava and I can go check it out.”
“Really?” Carly asks.
“Sure. Maybe we can even find some gelato afterward,” he adds.
“What’s that?” Ava asks as she turns to look up at him.
“Italian ice cream,” he says.
Ava’s eyes light up, and her lips curve into a smile. “I love ice cream,” she announces.
Carly starts laughing, and I can’t help but join her. “You don’t say,” Al replies as he clearly fights a laugh.
She nods enthusiastically. My gaze meets Carly’s. “So…you want to go do the tasting room thing?” she asks.
I swallow hard. She looks so hopeful. Fuck it.
“Yes. Sounds great,” I say.
Her smile is radiant as she sits down and starts talking to Al. I watch her for a long few moments. It’ll be nice to have an evening with her, but deep down, I’m freaking out because every day here seems to test my resolve not to date this extraordinary woman, and spending an evening alone with her is going to be like a final at the end of a semester.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Carly
I can tell the sun is up, but I keep my eyes closed. My head is pounding. How much did I drink last night?
I try to count the glasses of wine but lose track at four. Fuck. I don’t hear Ava, which means she’s either still asleep or she stayed with Al. Shit. I’m the worst mom ever.
I’m also hot. Why am I so hot? I’m way too young for hot flashes and night sweats.
Sitting up and stretching, my leg bumps into something hard. I jump a little as my eyes fly open.
