Page 71 of When Love Is Unexpected

I let out an involuntary snort when I try to stifle a giggle.

"You're laughing," he says. "She's laughing."

When he starts laughing, too, I know everything's going to be okay between us.

"I'm sorry," I say. "You're talking about my dad and two brothers-in-law. It couldn't have been that bad."

"Oh, it was bad," he says. "But don't worry, they fed me afterward."

I'm so relieved to hear the relaxed tone in his voice.

"What did they say?" I ask, wanting to hear all about it.

"Well," he says, "your dad was very kind. He put the word son in front of all his warnings. He said, 'Son, I understand this break up is hard for you, but if this nonsense doesn't stop immediately, dealing with me will be much, much harder.' Followed by, 'Son, Laila is my baby, and if she's not happy, I'm not happy.' All I could say was, 'Yes, Sir.'"

"What about Adam?" I ask. "You two are friends."

"Adam said, 'Laila is my little sister, not by blood but by love. I will protect her. You understand what I'm saying?' His stare was so intense I couldn't even maintain eye contact. Yeah, I understood exactly what he was saying."

"I'm sure Aaron was the diplomat in the group," I say.

"Aaron showed up wearing a t-shirt that said World's Best Bro-In-Law on the front."

"No, he didn't!" I giggle.

"Yeah, yeah," says Eric. "He sat across from me, leaned back in his chair, and crossed his arms in front of him."

"So he didn't say anything," I say.

"His biceps could've done all the talking," says Eric. “But no, he said, 'I'm only going to say this once: if Laila's uncomfortable, I'm uncomfortable. Don't make me uncomfortable.'"

"Yikes," I say, laughing.

"Later," Eric continues, "when we all got up to leave, Adam shook my hand and said, 'I've known you for almost three years, Brother. I think you're a good man. Do not prove me wrong.'"

"You are a good man," I say.

"I think Adam's comment is what snapped me out of the funk I was in. So, in short, I'm calling to apologize."

"I accept your apology," I say.

"So, are we good?" he asks.

"Yes," I say, "we're good."

"Friends?" he asks.

"Yes," I say, smiling. "Friends."

"Enjoy the rest of your vacation," he says before we end the call.

When I go back in the house Sam is nowhere to be found.

When I ask Abby where her brother is, she says, "He’s in the office making a phone call."

I'm almost certain Sam's phone call is to Dad.

I accept the chocolate chip cookie Abby offers me and follow her to the patio where Emma, Luke, Andrew, Tiffany, and Amanda are sitting.

---