Page 91 of The Bargain

“I do know,” I admitted, meeting his eyes with a flirty smile of my own.

He reared back; his eyebrows arched in surprise.

“Oh, Ms. Collins, I think we need to discuss this,” he added with a small smirk.

It was at that moment that Lea came over and rested her hands on Dean’s shoulders. She leaned down to whisper in his ear, but just loud enough for me to hear as well.

“How does it feel, brother, to let yourself be happy, to let yourself love?” she asked.

He glanced my way. “Better than I could have ever imagined.”

Lea nodded and winked at me. “It’s so cathartic with the right woman.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” he said, keeping his eyes on me and making me blush. “Talking about the right woman, I’m happy Susan is here.”

Lea let go of her brother and straightened. “She likes you better now,” she admitted. “She thinks you’re less of an ass.”

Dean laughed. “I’ll take it.”

The party was pleasant. It was so good to have Dee and Raoul here with Lea, Dean, and Susan. It was like two families meeting for the first time, and it was lovely and warm.

Dean caressed my knee under the table every so often. It was not a sexual gesture, it was a loving one, and I loved it.

Just as we finished our dessert, Timmy started to get fussy.

“I think the birthday boy needs his nappy nap,” I said.

“Who doesn't?” Raoul added in jest.

I was about to stand up when Dean rested his hand on top of mine.

"No, please, stay here.” He smiled at Dee. “You don't see your friends often. Just let me deal with the birthday boy.”

I nodded, once more pleasantly surprised by his thoughtful side.

He picked up Timmy from his high chair. “Come on, big boy. Let's go take a nap.” He turned toward the table. “In case I don't see you before you leave, thanks again for coming. It means a lot to us.”

We watched him leave in silence, each of us with different degrees of surprise on our face.

“He’s changed a lot,” Susan commented once he’d exited the room.

I shrugged, I didn’t think he’d changed, I was sure he’d always had that gentleness in him.

“Love will do that to a man,” Dee confirmed. “The right person will warm even the coldest heart.”

“I like you,” Lea told Dee, pointing at her with a fork full of cake. “I’m guessing you were the voice who kept our Amber sane in this crazy world.”

Dee beamed at her. “And I’m happy my sweet girl has found a good and loving family and a sister as wise as you.”

They both smiled at each other and I could see forming, right before my eyes, one of the most unlikely friendships possible.

Jeremy had surgery early the next morning so because he had come with Lea and Susan, the three of them left as soon as Lea finished her second piece of cake under Susan’s amused eyes.

“You look happy.” Dee nodded her approval as soon as it was only the three of us.

“I am.”

“The man’s smitten,” she continued, her all-seeing eyes on me.

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