Page 76 of Beauty Of Her

“I made some eggs while we waited.” I stepped forward. “There’s plenty…for all of us.”

Zoe's eyes lit up at the mention of food. She bounded into the kitchen, her enthusiasm contagious. “I’m eating. Brett, come on.”

I followed Zoe, where she piled steaming eggs onto her plate. As Sara and Julia emerged from the living room, their expressions softened with an unspoken understanding, and my heart swelled with hope. Maybe this was our chance to overcome the obstacles that had kept us apart. As if sensing my thoughts, Julia's eyes met mine across the room. There was a flicker of vulnerability in her gaze before she quickly looked away. It was clear that she still harbored doubts about our future together. Her trust had been shattered before, and rebuilding it would take time. But I was determined to show her that I was different. That my love for her was unwavering and unconditional.

Everyone gathered around the table, plates heaping with perfectly cooked scrambled eggs, and fell into comfortable chatter.

“You should have heard Mom flipping out,” Zoe said to Sara, smirking.

“I’m really sorry.” Sara scrunched her brow, pleading with the biggest eyes to Julia.

“Never again.” Julia exhaled before shoving a forkful of eggs into her mouth. “These are amazing.” Her eyes locked mine.

“I knew you’d love them,” I said, winking.

“Everything you cook, I love,” said Julia.

“Is that so?” I smiled at Julia, and soon her face warmed. The twins exchanged knowing glances, but I needed to be careful. What was happening across the table may end here. “What else do you love?”

Julia clashed her fork against the plate and cradled her chin on her hand. “Are we still talking about food?”

“That’s a loaded question, isn’t it?” I teased.

Julia squinted, drumming her red nails against the table. “I miss your burgers. I still can’t barbecue if my life depended on it.”

“Aren’t we lucky Brett can barbecue?” Sara chimed in, popping her eyebrows.

Julia chuckled, dropping her dark, gorgeous eyes and keeping them there. I feared she started slipping away at that moment and desperately wanted her to look at me again. But, for the rest of the meal, it didn’t happen.

After we finished eating, Julia and I volunteered to clean up. At the same time, the girls retreated to the living room to watch some television. Finally, Julia turned to face me when the last dish was put away. Her eyes swirled with a familiar longing, and my heart skipped a beat. Without saying a word, she reached out and took my hand. Her touch sent electricity coursing through my veins.

"I want to believe in us." Her voice was barely audible.

“Me too.” I inched closer.

“But what stops me is that I know what you want. And to think you’d give that up for me if I wasn’t sure I wanted it too…” she trailed off, glancing at the girls in the other room, laughing at the screen. “What if you resented me one day?”

“Stop thinking about the what-ifs that might never be. Look at us now. We’re miserable without each other. Isn’t that enough? We’re enough for each other, Julia.”

“I just don’t know, Brett.”

“I think you’re making a big mistake right now.” I fought the surge of annoyance coursing through me. Why couldn’t Julia just let go and live?

“Maybe I am. But certain things shouldn’t be forced.” Julia was scared, but there wasn’t anything I could do to convince her. I understood what I needed to do one last time. To let her go.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady the ache in my chest. Julia's words echoed through my mind, each one like a knife, piercing my hope. She was right. Certain things shouldn't be forced. It pained me to accept it, but I couldn't keep pushing her to see what I saw for our future.

“Well, I guess you and the girls should head out soon. It’s a school night.” I took a step back, our distance growing.

Julia nodded, hugging her body tightly. She peered over my shoulder and called to the girls, “Zoe? Sara? It’s time to go.” She shifted her eyes back to me. “Thank you again for everything tonight. You have no idea what was going through my mind.”

“I can’t even begin to imagine.” I stuffed my hands into my pockets, my heart sinking.

Zoe and Sara reluctantly made their way into the kitchen. They exchanged worried glances before turning their attention to Julia, who wore a mask of composure. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. Julia craned her neck to the door, and the girls listened to their mother without hesitation.

“Say goodbye to Brett,” said Julia.

“Bye, Brett,” the girls said.

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