“Stop making sense, and give me some space to get ready.”
“I’ll sit right there.” Ollie points at the bar stool next to the kitchen island. “And kill time before you’re ready to go.”
“Wait, weren’t you supposed to be with Ale and her family this weekend?”
“I was, but after Rose and Eli texted me, I knew I was needed here.”
And that makes me smile. “Thanks, brother.”
“Don’t you sweat about it. Now, take that damn shower, so we can get going.”
Arriving at my friends’ penthouse an hour later, I expect to walk into a quiet apartment, but what greets us is a blur of activity.
“I thought you said Rose’s family was somewhere else,” I say under my breath.
Ollie shrugs. “They were supposed to be.”
We walk to the kitchen and a red-haired woman in her 40s, who I assume is Rose’s mother, spots us first and smiles our way. “You must be Ollie and Jax. Sorry for this, but one of the twins got ill, and we decided to turn back. I’m just making some snacks before checking on poor Leo.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Summers-Servopoulous.” Ollie offers his hand.
Rose’s mother ignores it and hugs him instead. “Don’t be silly, Ollie. And please, call me Rose.”
“That will surely be confusing when we’re around you and your daughter at the same time,” Ollie answers with a chuckle.
“You aren’t the first one to say that.” She laughs and turns to me, placing her hands on my arms and looking at me from head to toe before hugging me. “Jax, you look exactly like Rose described. I’ve been thinking of getting a tattoo myself and want to discuss my ideas if you have time.”
“Sure, I would be happy to help with that,” I say and pat her back. I don’t usually enjoy hugs from strangers, but it feels like I know Rose’s mother already. Her daughter has shared many stories since they started working on their relationship last year.
Rose lets go of me and flashes the same warm smile I have seen on her daughter’s face many times. “I knew I would like you.”
“Likewise. It was great meeting you, Rose,” I tell her as I see the younger Rose coming our way.
“Jax, you made it,” she exclaims and hugs me like her mother just did. The Summers women indeed like their hugs. “Sorry about my family.”
“No worries. I just wasn’t expecting to meet them.”
Rose looks at Ollie and then back at me. “What if you and I sit in the living room and talk alone for a bit?"
“Sure,” I say and start walking to the living room, her following me.
Seated on a couch, I have a magnificent view of the city around me. My favorite part about it is that it never sleeps. But today, watching the busy city isn’t calming me as it usually does.
“What’s in that beautiful mind of yours?” Rose asks and comes to sit next to me.
“I was just thinking how much I love this city and how hectic it is at times.”
“It definitely is a world away from Belchester.”
I laugh thinking about our hometown in Nebraska. “For sure. I can’t believe that two such opposite places are found in one country.”
“That’s the beauty of it all.” Rose fidgets the silver ring on her left middle finger. “I’ve no idea how to start this conversation, so just listen, okay?”
“Sure.”
“We’re worried—Eli, Ollie, and me. I know the past few months haven’t been the easiest, but you’re drinking more this year than you normally do…” Her forehead is creased, and her lips are downturned, showing her worry clearly. “And now you need to deal with everything happening with yours and Soph’s families. I just wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
I scrub a hand over my face before dragging it through my hair. “Not today, but I will be. One day.”
