Page 33 of Everlasting Love

“She will be. Just like you will be. But you guys need to stick together.” I pull out a chair for him and then sit next to him. “You guys are a team. Just as you support your strikers on the team, you need to support your mom. Okay?”

“Okay. I will.”

13

SHANE

Kate,Cassia, and Violet walk ahead of us into one of Toby’s favorite restaurants,Cristo’s Taverna,and I can’t stop my eyes from dropping to Violet’s ass with appreciation as she steps inside. I can see why some men have written sonnets about curves like hers—damn spectacular.

I tear my eyes away when Toby’s shoulder bumps into mine, and I glance at him, noting his wide grin. Shaking my head to shift my thoughts away from Vi, I draw myself back to why we’re out to dinner tonight, and I can’t believe that in three short days, my long-time friend is marrying the girl he crushed on in high school. Nudging him with my elbow, I tip my chin toward the girls. “How’s sixteen-year-old Toby feeling?”

When he turns to me, I swear his eyes are sparkling as his smile grows wider. “Sixteen-year-old me is fucking pinching himself, man.” He points at Cass. “I can’t believe she’s mine. That we have a baby girl together. That Poppy and Daisy are my daughters. I must have done something right somewhere along the way.”

Oliver huffs out a laugh. “You’re a patient man. It drove me crazy that I didn’t know how to find Kate after we first met. The length of time in between meeting her the first and second time only made me all the more determined to make her mine when I finally found her.”

Toby and I snicker. “You wouldn’t have smashed through Kate’s walls if you weren’t determined. It seems we both had the traits we needed to get the perfect woman for us,” Toby proudly states.

Something happens inside my chest at the reminder they’ve both secured the women who stole their hearts and are now in solid, happy relationships that will last well into the future while I’m still single …by choice. A certain someone has made her interest clear and if it weren’t for the fact that I don’t deserve her and her daughter, I’m sure we would have crossed the line from the friendship we’ve built over the last two years to something more. I’m finding it harder and harder to keep the lines drawn between us. But at times like these, where it’s the six of us and it’s painfully clear that Vi and I are not together in the same way as the other couples, I wish we were more than friends and that I was deserving of a place in her and Jasmine’s lives.

We step inside to find Cristo exuberantly hugging each of the girls. With his arms outstretched, he steps toward Toby. “Congratulations! I’m so happy you’ve found the love of your life.” He embraces him tightly, then releases him. “Come. Come. I have a celebratory feast planned for you all tonight.”

He guides us to a table in the back which is blocked off with privacy screens from the rest of the restaurant, offering a modicum of privacy, and pulls out a chair. “My best table. Just for you.”

“Thank you. You always make us feel special whenever we come here.” Cass smiles at him.

Toby gestures for Cass to take the proffered seat, then sits next to her. Violet takes the chair next to her sister, while Kate sits next to Toby with Oliver next to her. That leaves me to sit between Violet and Oliver. I figured this would happen; I only hope I can keep my hands to myself. It’s grown harder and harder to do since the woman tempts me like no other. I didn’t think it was possible. I thought I’d shut down that side of me when I watched Hope fall apart at the loss of her soul mate. I never want to experience that level of heartache. But the way Vi obviously loves her daughter, how independent and capable she is, and her determination to be the best version of herself, not to mention how damn beautiful she is has woken something inside me. Everything about Vi adds up to her being irresistible and too good for someone like me.

Since Cass moved in with Toby, I don’t see Violet and Jasmine all that often, unless we’re celebrating someone’s birthday or a holiday.

It’s torture.

Worse than that, I miss them.

I miss Jasmine’s sweet nature which hasn’t changed since she’s grown older and started school. And I miss the bombshell sitting next to me. To be honest, it’s probably a good thing that we see each other as infrequently as we do or the temptation would be too great.

As I pull out my chair, Violet smiles up at me. She’s not as guarded with Toby and me as she was when we were first on the scene. Her smile is open and welcoming, and it’s the worst possible thing for my control. I don’t know how I’m going to make it through the evening without touching her in some way. Kissing her. Breathing her in like oxygen.

She tucks her loose hair behind her ear. “Hey.”

I take a seat and turn to her. This close, even in the dim light, I’m able to take in her clear complexion and almost luminescenteyes. I clear my throat. “Hey, Blue.” Her lips twitch, and I can’t even remember when I started calling her Blue. It slipped out one day and continues to do so. She’s never commented on the nickname but I think she likes it judging by the way her eyes brighten or lips twitch when I use it. “How are things with you and Jas?”

Cristo bustles to the table, interrupting her response, balancing a large platter in each hand. Behind him, one of his staff balances two more dishes and behind her, yet another waiter carries two more large dishes. He’s always been incredibly welcoming and generous whenever Toby’s eaten here, but this seems excessive. “A few of my favorite dishes. Enjoy!” He waves his arm out across the table and then leaves us to enjoy our meal before anyone has the chance to thank him, disappearing behind the screen that separates us from the rest of the restaurant. Toby isn’t the only local celebrity at the table; Oliver has quite the name for himself around town, being a billionaire and all, so the screen separating us from the rest of the restaurant is appreciated and allows me the opportunity to enjoy the meal with my friends.

“Ah, man, Cristo knows how to put on a good spread,” Toby says, and everyone around the table readily agrees.

Cristo returns holding two bottles of wine over his head. “I almost forgot the most important thing. We all need krasí to complement the meal!” He pours a little in each of our glasses and we all thank him quickly before he can disappear again.

Before everyone digs in, I raise my glass toward Toby and Cassia. “I’d like to propose a toast to Toby and Cassia.” Everyone raises their glass. “Toby.” I look at my long-time friend. “I’ve known you a long time. You’re like a brother to me. When we were sixteen, I witnessed you falling for the woman beside you. I’ve watched you from near and far as you chased your dreams and I’m so damn proud of you. But I’ve never seen you happierthan you are sitting beside Cassia, knowing that you’re about to commit your future to each other. Cassia, thank you for making my best friend’s dreams a reality. Toby, Cassia … may your marriage be long, happy, and full of all the love the two of you deserve.” I lift my glass toward my best friend and everyone nods in agreement, mirroring my action. “And Toby. I’m glad you never gave up on your dreams, man.”

“Hear, hear!” everyone responds together, and we all take a sip of our wine.

“Thanks, Shane.” I nod with a full heart—glad I’m still here to share this experience with him. I pause for a moment, realizing that somehow my thoughts have shifted. Iamglad I’m still here to share this moment with him. He’s come a long way since he first crushed on the woman beside him, and I’m proud to have been on this journey with him and call him my friend. I wait for the guilt to swamp me and while it’s there, it’s not as overwhelming as it once was. I’m not sure when things shifted for me. It hasn’t been obvious, but as I think back over the last two years, it’s been a gradual change in the way I think about things and accept the things I can’t change. I expect I’ll still have my moments, but today I’m feeling positive so I’ll take it.

We spend the next few moments passing dishes around the table and spooning portions onto our plates. As Kate, Cass, Toby, and Oliver discuss final plans for Saturday since the wedding is at Kate and Oliver’s home, I return my attention to Violet. “So, how are things with you and Jas?”

Her smile is instant and the other conversations fall away. “She started kindergarten, and I’ve already been called in to speak with her teacher.”

I bristle. “Why the fuck is the teacher calling you in for a meeting? She’s a good girl.”

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