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Owen tilts his head. “Of course. The whole reason I’m here is to check on the two of you.” His gaze dips to my stomach and returns to my face. “Don’t tell him I said this, but I thought he might have a panic attack when he called to ask me to check on you while he was gone.”
I stop chewing. “Really?”
“Lennon, if you haven’t figured out that my brother is insanely in love with you, you’re not as smart as I thought you were.”
“I mean, I know he cares about me…”
Owen huffs out a laugh. “Yeah, I think it’s far beyond caring for you, honey. But I know the situation is complicated.”
I reach down and rub my bump. “It is.”
Owen grows quiet for a minute. “Most relationships are. Hell, it’s taken me how long to finally start dating again after your sister?”
My interest spikes from his words. “Wait. You’re dating someone?”
Owen grins. “Yeah, actually dating. I met a woman named Sabrina, and she’s incredible. I’m—I’m happy, Lennon. For the first time in a long time. Turns out I was the one standing in my way.”
The memory of my conversation with Sloane pops into my head, but I don’t think bringing it up will make anything better. I guess it’s just good to know that Owen has moved on so if and when Sloane does come home, maybe his resentment will have subsided.
“Then I’m happy for you, Owen. And thank you for the food.” I touch my stomach. “Baby girl is happy too.”
“You’re welcome, Lennon. Now, is there anything else you need from me before I leave? Easton said I had to reach for anything up high if you needed it.”
Laughing, I shake my head. “Nope. I’m good.”
He nods. “Great. Then let me pack this food back up and I’ll be out of your hair.”
A few minutes later, Owen is gone, and I’m alone again. My books cover the dining-room table, beckoning me, but I’m not sure my brain can handle any more information today.
Instead, I pick up my phone and tap Elodie’s name. It’s been a few weeks since we’ve talked.
“Oh my god! Lennon? You do know my number still!”
“Oh, shut up,” I reply through a laugh. “You know I’m busy.”
“Ha. You’re preaching to the choir, babe.” The noise behind her is intense.
“Where are you?”
“I’m in Nashville for the week, prepping for the Tyler Ford concert.”
My mouth drops open. “What? You mean, you’re singing with him?”
“Yup! He’s recorded so many of my songs, and since this show is a bit smaller, he asked if I wanted to go on stage with him for part of the set, and Henley told me I should. So…”
“That’s amazing, girl. I’m so proud of you!”
“Thanks! And you know, Nashville isn’t that far from Garnet Valley…”
An idea sparks. “Um, you’re right. It’s not. Any chance you could score one of your best friends a few tickets to the show?”
“Wait. For real? You’d be willing to come out here?”
“Yeah. Easton was actually talking about the two of us going away this weekend after he gets back from the job in Blossom Peak. I think this would be perfect.”
Elodie laughs. “Figures that he’s there when I’m not.”
“Right? But his boss begged him to go since the job was at Hart Winery.”
