Page 51 of Unexpected Love

Pulling my chair out, I sit down next to Abby’s oldest. “Where are your brothers today?”

She smiles up at me with her gorgeous hazel eyes. “They’re home with Daddy because they’re naughty and they’re boys. This is girl time.”

I smile down at her as she begins to color and then look at Abby across the table with a raised brow. “They’re not totally naughty—they’re just three and two and are partners in crime,” she says, “but that’s what I get for having them close together.”

Our waitress interrupts us when she comes to take our drink order, and as soon as she walks away, Natalie looks up at me. “Are you going to marry Uncle Joe? Can I be your flower girl? I hope you have girls…I don’t want any more boys.” She goes back to coloring, and I feel my face heat up as Journey and her two daughters smile widely at me.

I look anywhere but at them and am thankful that our waitress comes and takes our orders. When she walks away, I want to follow her, but I don’t. Instead, I turn to Abby. “I hear you sing, too.”

“I do but not too much these days except when I’m putting the kids to sleep, but I’ve always loved it.”

“Mommy sings all the time. Gigi says Mommy sings like an angel,” Natalie says from next to me. I wrap my arm around her little shoulders and give them a squeeze.

“I bet she does.” Abby gives me a smile, and then I look at Joe’s baby sister, Haddie. Over the years, she’s really grown into a beautiful woman. She’s taller than her sister and mom. She’s willowy with long curly strawberry blonde hair and eyes the same color as Joe. She’s also got a tiny gap between her front teeth just like her mom. She’s stunning and doesn’t wear a stitch of makeup. According to Joe, she’s getting ready to begin nursing school.

“Haddie, do you have an area of nursing that interests you?”

She’s sitting across from me. “Not really, but I think I want to do hospice. You know, helping someone at the end of their life. I know it’ll be sad because I know they’ll pass, but just helping them die comfortably and with dignity is important.”

“That’s amazing, and it’s great that you know what part of nursing interests you. Your cousin Carrington is a nurse too, isn’t she?”

“Yeah, she’s a nurse in the emergency room. She actually works with Ben’s mom, who’s a nurse practitioner,” Haddie says before picking up her iced tea and taking a huge drink.

The rest of lunch is good. We talk about their families and mine. They ask about my band and my brother.

“What was Joe like as a kid?” I look at Journey, and Abby starts laughing. “Oh God, do I want to even know?”

“He was a good boy, but he was mischievous. I used to get calls all the time because of him getting caught kissing girls. He shamelessly flirted with all the females, including faculty. I swear I spent more time at school for him alone compared to the other kids.” Abby and Haddie both agree with their mom.

“Why can I totally picture him being like that?” I shake my head.

“He’s definitely kept us on our toes, that’s for sure.”

When the waitress brings the check, I try to hand her my credit card to pay for everyone, but Journey gives me a look that has me putting it away. Haddie takes Natalie to the bathroom, and we all make our way toward the entrance. “Abby, your belly is just so cute. When are you due?”

“March second.” She rests her hand on her baby bump, and all I feel is envious. Our kids would’ve been close in age—Violet’s, too. Fate is a cruel bitch sometimes. “Every baby I seem to show earlier and earlier.”

I watch Journey put her hand on her daughter’s belly. “I was the same way. You look beautiful, baby girl.” It’s times like these that I wish I had a mother. Don’t get me wrong, I love my dads—I would die for them, and I would kill for them, but watching Abby and Journey share this moment makes me uncomfortably sad.

Without them seeing me, I slip out the door and stand outside, letting the warmth of the sun heat my skin.

“Chloe!” I turn to find Natalie running toward me. I wrap my arms around her as the rest of the women step outside.

A short while later, we pull into the parking lot of Joe’s complex. I turn to Journey. “Thank you for a wonderful time today and a wonderful lunch.”

“You’re so welcome. I had a wonderful time getting to know you today.” She reaches across and grabs me in a big hug. I don’t know what comes over me, but tears leak from my eyes as I hug her back.

We finally pull away, and she reaches out, wiping my tears away. “No tears or Joe’s never going to let me spend any more time with you.”

I nod and give her a watery smile. “Thank you again for a wonderful time.”

“You’re welcome, sweet girl. Now go, because I’m sure any second Joe’s going to come out here and want to know what kept you.” I grab my bags and climb out, waving goodbye as she drives away.

I make my way up to Joe’s door and knock. He gave me a key, but I don’t feel comfortable using it. I’m wondering if he’s even home when the door opens and he’s pulling me inside. My bags quickly fall to the floor and are forgotten as he lifts me up, my legs wrapping around his hips.

His tongue enters my mouth, and I can taste the mintiness of his freshly brushed teeth. He pulls back and smiles up at me. “Both of my sisters texted me that they love you, and I’m sure my mom will do the same at some point. Did you have a good time?”

“I had a great time. They were all so sweet to me. So kissing all the girls when you were little, huh?”

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