Page 27 of What If We Do

“Keep talking, Landric.” I smirk and send a reassuring wink to Charlee who shakes her head at the banter her husband and I have had all day. Trying to change the subject, I gesture to her growing baby bump.

“So how are you feeling? We haven’t talked much about your pregnancy.”

She nearly gets teary eyed talking about it. “I’m feeling great most days and I’ll admit, it’s nice to work from home. Milo just lets me bum around in his sweatpants and of course my favorite sweatshirt, so I’m always comfortable.”

I pretend to gag at the sight of the extremely purple Wile E. Coyote sweatshirt Charlee is wearing. Milo has owned that thing for way too long, except honestly, it looks cute on my pregnant sister. And for just a split second, an immense feeling jealousy washes over me.

She found the love of her life in the most unexpected way and now she’s about to start a family. I met Scarlett in the most unexpected way, yet here I am alone and missing her.

“What about you?” she asks after we laugh over Milo’s ridiculous taste in clothing.

“What about me?”

She shrugs. “I don’t know. Tell me something new about you. Is there a special someone in your life? You don’t talk about your dating life much?”

“Uh, pot calling kettle, Sis. I seem to recall you living with this asshat for several months before you ever told me what was going on in your life.”

She blushes, her hand smoothing down her stomach. “Okay, okay. I’ve apologized for that about a billion times. I’m just asking because I want to see you happy. That’s all.”

I nod, taking a deep breath and realizing maybe I just need to get it out in the open.

“There’s a girl.”

Charlee sits up, a fresh excitement in her eyes. “Yes! I knew it! Tell me everything.”

“There isn’t a ton I can tell you, honestly.”

“Where did you meet her?”

“New Orleans.” I cringe when I give her my answer.

Charlee’s brows rise. “Oh. Sooo, you mean you just met her? Or is she like, you know, someone you meet up with whenever you’re in town.”

“She’s not a booty call, Charlee.”

She raises her hands in defense. “Just asking.”

“I did just meet her yesterday. Spent the entire day and all night with her and I know this sounds crazy as fuck but…”

“You like her.”

I nod slowly, my eyes finally meeting Charlee’s. “Yeah. I really liked her.”

“Liked?” She frowns. “Why liked? You can’t work out a long-distance thing?”

“With my schedule? That would be insane. But ironically…or maybe not, I don’t know, she’s actually from L.A.”

“Wait, what?” Charlee moves to the edge of her seat. “Oli, that’s not that far from Anaheim! What the fuck?”

“I know but—”

“No buts. Is she married?”

I almost laugh. “No.”

“Kids?”

“Nope.”

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