I was barely holding my smile trying to remain neutral.“I mean it’s possible that you could fly back and forth and not just for business. To see me, if you don’t want to move. You’ve worked really hard to build your business.”
She had, but I was selfish and wanted her here with me.
“Please stop pretending like you’re not doing cartwheels inside at the thought of me moving closer to you.”Marlee rolled her eyes.
“I’m not.”
She sucked her teeth and lifted the blueberry bliss cocktail Joy made. There were two versions, one alcohol-free and the other we were currently enjoying. It was more rum with a splash of blueberry and had my eyes low and my body feeling sluggishly warm and hazy. Social media post worthy drinks paired with the blue skies touching teal water and today was a perfect day.
“Okay fine, maybe I am a little bit, because I miss you.”
“I miss you too, but it’s more than that. Chicago is cold as hell.”
“It’s cold in Crescent Falls.”
“Not like at home and at least they get all four seasons. We have getting cold, cold, cold as hell, and was just cold so why the fuck is it cold again.”
I laughed.“It’s not that bad. We get all four seasons.”
“Okay, we do. I’m just being dramatic because I need a change.”
“And you want to be near me.”
“Yep, because I refuse to be a long distance godmother, and the way that man keeps looking at you, trust, you’re about to bepregnant soon if you’re not already.”She leaned toward me and popped my thigh.“Those hips are spreading, friend.”
“It’s called a personal chef.”
“That’s not food. That’s back shots and phenomenal champion dick.”She glanced toward the beach where Ryland was building a sandcastle with Rylee. My mom and Roland were inside with Miranda and Orlando, going to town on the seafood light bites Joy prepared to help absorb the three rounds of drinks they’d consumed.
I was getting to see my mom in a light that I hadn’t experienced as a child, happy and in love. She had friends and a community of people who loved and supported her, but being with a man had never been a priority in my mother’s life. Seeing this side of her warmed my heart because my mother deserved a man who loved her and was willing to make her a priority after years of dedicating her life to me and only me.
“And based on the way you’re looking at the reason for that phenomenal dick and back shots only further confirms my theory.”
“I’m pleading the fifth.”
“I bet you are, but the point is, all that…”She pointed at Ryland.“Means I’m going to be a godmommy soon and I want to be here so I can pull up and spoil my baby the right way. Not mailing presents, catching a flight once a year, and missing milestones.”
“I won’t argue with you on that because I want you here too, but let’s pause the baby talk, please. I have a travel list I plan on working my way through before I procreate.”
She arched a brow.“But you’re willing to have all that man’s babies, because I don’t recall a denial, just a request for a pause.”
“Yeah, I am.”
“Oh wow. He is for sure loving you right. No hesitation whatsoever about kids.”
Not a single one!
He loves me…
He would love our children.
My father didn’t just scare my mother, the fear of falling in love with a man who might decide I wasn’t enough was ingrained in me. No matter how much I loved myself and knew I was enough, playing it safe made it easier to avoid rejection. Being with Ryland damn sure wasn’t playing it safe.
I had no fear when it came to trusting him withme. I had no fear of what our future would be, including the possibility of having children that might end up just like me. He wouldn’t leave. If anything, I felt a guarantee that we would both be loved more. That was the man Ryland was. I saw it in how he loved his sister. I felt it in how he loved me.
“He’s my one,”I signed because that was the sum total of everything I felt and believed about Ryland. It was really that simple.
“Well, hopefully I’ll find my one. I might have to fuck my way through a few of his teammates to lock him down, but I’m up for the challenge.”
