Page 61 of Worth the Wait

Patrick and I had talked about a wedding barn on the resort property, and if he’d gone ahead and done everything that we’d ever mentioned doing while I’d been gone, this would make perfect sense.

“He’s building the most spectacular event barn at the resort,” Brooklyn gushed. “It’s going to be booked a year out, but we’re getting married there first since it brought us together.” She looked at Thomas with so much love in her eyes that I almost felt envious.

“The barn brought you together?” I asked out loud.

“In a way, yeah. The resort did at least. I’m the event coordinator there. You know, I’ve heard all about your famous cooking,” she started to say as I shifted my weight and crossed my arms over my chest.

“I do all right,” I answered, even though she hadn’t asked a question that even required that kind of answer.

“If you ever come back, just know that I’d love to have you on our catering list. Right at the top, of course.” She grinned, and my heart started beating faster. “If that was something you wanted to do, I mean.”

Catering at the resort had always been an option, at least according to Patrick, but I’d assumed he had to say that since he’d been my boyfriend and his family owned the place. It’d felt like a little too much back then. Like I hadn’t even remotely deserved the offer. But now, I knew I could pull it off.

“Excuse me.” Thomas’s voice broke between us. “I demand a hug this instant,” he said, and I felt myself stiffen.

Thomas had always been standoffish and a little distant. Seeing him this happy and joyful was a new development. He reached for me and hugged me tight.

“We’ve missed you around here,” he said with a grin. That was new too. “It’s not the same without you.”

“I’m not used to seeing you so”—I struggled with finding the right word—“smiley.” I pointed at his face with a smirk.

“Blame her.” He thumbed toward Brooklyn, who was already back at his side, his arm wrapped tightly around her.

“Happiness looks good on you,” I complimented, meaning it.

They really did look so happy. And I knew that Thomas deserved it. Especially after all he’d been through.

The boys had all lost their mom when they were kids. And then Thomas lost his wife the day his daughter was born. Life had thrown him into a tailspin I wasn’t sure he’d ever get out of. I was so glad to see that he had.

“Maybe you can get this one to cut his hair while you’re in town,” Thomas teased, referring to Patrick.

“Eh. I don’t mind the length,” I said because even though it was longer and more unruly than I’d ever seen, he still looked sexy as hell.

Thomas barked out a laugh. “And that’s how I know you still love him.”

“And why’s that?” I asked, not denying the fact that I still did.

“Because only a girl in love would pretend to like that hair.” He waved his hand in the air with a scowl on his face.

“I like Uncle Patrick’s hair,” Clarabel said with a shrug.

“Exactly my point,” Thomas said.

“Can we stay?” Clarabel looked up at her dad and waited for him to answer.

“I think we should give Uncle Patrick and Addison some alone time,” Thomas said, and chills raced through me.

It was exactly what I wanted, but hearing the words out loud was still a little unnerving.

“But why? Aunt Addi just got here. I’ve barely seen her.” Clarabel pouted, and even though I wanted to make her feel better, I wasn’t sure what to say. I couldn’t make her promises so that she’d feel better. “Don’t you want me to stay, Little Starfish?”

I laughed. “Of course I do, but your dad is right. I need to talk to your uncle before I go back to New York.”

There. Consider the Band-Aid officially ripped off.

Clarabel’s face dropped instantly, her eyes welling up with tears. “You’re leaving again?”

Dammit. Consider my heart officially breaking.

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