Page 95 of Best Part of Me

“You expect us to just give you our blessing? Because it’s not happening.”

My shoulders sag slightly. I knew this wouldn’t be easy but I guess a small part of me hoped when Jones learned of our true feelings, he’d understand.

“You got my blessing,” Rosie blurts with her hand raised in the air.

My heart squeezes. I love her so much. My tension-breaker, number-one-cheerleader, call-me-out-on-my-bs friend.

“There’s a shock,” Jones mutters again, and I’m half tempted to slug him in the shoulder.

But Rosie steps in for me and stabs a finger in Jones’s chest a few times as she speaks. “Your sister is the most loyal person I know. She puts everyone else’s needs before hers. If you ever needed anyone to support you or bail you out of jail in the middle of the night, it would be her, and you know it.”

Jones seems taken aback. His eyes shift from me and back to Rosie as it’s obvious she’s not done speaking.

“Who was it who supported your decision to go work at the bar rather than the store?” She pauses but only for dramatic effect. “And then who was it who quit her job and went to work at the store instead?” Jones’s jaw pops, and he glances at the floor while he stuffs his hands into his pockets. “Your sister, that’s fucking who. So yeah, if Cammie has decided that Maverick is her person, I’m gonna support her. One hundred percent. And you should too.”

Everyone in the room is quiet. I guess because we’re not really sure if Rosie is done yet. Maverick caresses my hand with his thumb, and when I glance up at him, he gives me a nod.

“You know I’ve cared about Cammie for a long time,” he says.

Jones whips his head up. “Yeah, as a sister.”

“No, man. It was never like that. It was always different for me. I think you just didn’t want to see it.”

Shifting back and forth on his feet, Jones says, “Okay, and what happens when you guys break up? Because it’s gonna happen. Maverick hasn’t been in a real relationship since college, and Cammie just left Chris at the altar.”

Who’s the dramatic one now?It wasn’t the altar. I at least had enough sense to tell Chris before the wedding began.

“I’d like to think if that happens, we’re all good enough friends that it wouldn’t wreck anything between us,” I say, gazing into Maverick’s deep-brown eyes and letting the comfort I find there work its way down to my toes.

“But you don’t know that,” Jones argues.

“Whatever happens, as long as we’re okay,” Maverick says, gesturing in the space between himself and Jones, “that’s all I’m worried about.”

That seems to satisfy Jones a little. His jaw looks as if it unclenches. Dad still appears confused, and I worry it will take him more time to accept my and Maverick’s relationship.

“Okay, well, I don’t know about the rest of you, but after all these dramatics, I’m ready for a Thanksgiving nap.” Grandma Nettie pats me on the arm and gives me a kiss on the cheek. “C’mon, Jackie.”

“A nap sounds good to me, too,” Gigi says, following Grandma Nettie out of the kitchen.

Dad watches the grandmas leave before he finally speaks. “Sweetie, I hope you know, Mom wasn’t the only person who cared about you and your happiness.”

My throat thickens. I can’t find words so I only nod. Dad doesn’t do deep heartfelt talks. He rarely shows his emotions at all. This is big for him.

“And Maverick, you’ve always been like a son to us,” Dad says, and the use ofusstalls my heart in my chest. He shakes Maverick’s hand. “Take care of her.”

“I will, sir. You have my word.”

The promise feels like concrete sealing our relationship. The blessing we’ve desired. Only Jones remains, and I’m not positive he’ll give it to us.

“C’mon, Mr. Martin, I think there’s still a piece of pumpkin pie with your name on it,” Rosie says, leading Dad out of the kitchen. She hollers over her shoulder before she goes, “If you shit on their relationship, I’ll beat your ass, Jones.”

I choke on a laugh, and again, gratefulness for Rosie overwhelms my heart.

“My odds are on Rosie,” Maverick teases.

Jones smiles but then thinks better of it and rubs the back of his neck, keeping one hand still stuffed in his pocket. The room is suddenly thick with tension once more. It feels like this is a moment between Jones and Maverick. I’m half tempted to sneak out and join the grandmas for a nap. This is exhausting.

“I’m not gonna give you a handshake. I’m not as easily swayed as my dad,” Jones says.

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