Page 96 of Never the Best

“You know if you want to get married, we can?—”

“Rhett, I don’t,” I assured him.

“And babies?”

I shrugged. “Not ready. I’ve never had a burning desire to have children.”

“Me neither,” he admitted as he topped off my water glass. “I’d been freaking out when Josie said she was pregnant. I mean, I’d be there as a parent, you know,butI can’t say I was thrilled, but that was probably because it was Josie.”

“Would it bother you if we didn’t have kids?” I couldn’t believe how easily we were having this conversation. We’d been dating for a short time, but thanks to our history andus, our unique relationship had gone from not there to serious in minutes, and it didn’t feel strange. My therapist thought that the work we’d done in being open with one another, and him taking care of me, had accelerated thetimeline of our relationship, and there was nothing wrong with that.

“No. Like you…I can’t imagine being a parent now. I don’t know what the future holds, though.” He laced his fingers with mine. “But I’ve become a big believer in allowing for growth and change.”

I smiled. Happiness was a hearty emotion, filling me up in the best way possible. “Me too,” I agreed.

CHAPTER 33

Rhett

Iwatched Pearl adjust the delicate silver clasp on the front of her dress.

Tonight, she wore a simple burgundy dress, the color of which made her eyes look impossibly deep. Her hair was swept back into a soft, low bun, with a few loose strands framing her face. She looked beautiful, but what caught my attention was her determination, even if her hands trembled ever so slightly while fastening the clasp.

“You’re going to be amazing.” I leaned against the doorframe, my bowtie hanging loose around my neck.

She turned to give me a small smile, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

I stepped forward, crossing the room in a few strides until I stood behind her. I met her gaze in the mirror, resting my hands gently on her shoulders. “You’ve worked so hard for this, Pearl. Not just the speech buteverything. The work you’ve been doing with Savannah’s Soirée for Hope, howyou talked with Alice and Maddie’s friends, the lives you’ve helped change. You’ve already done so much good.”

It had been a year since her relapse, and since then, Pearl had become a force to reckon with. I was in awe of her, and that she couldn’t see how incredible she was. Pearl still needed validation, assurance, and support. But I also was confident that, eventually, she’d start to believe in herself, start seeing herself as who she was, instead of the distorted version she’d been taught to see when she was young.

She tilted her head, leaning into my touch. “What if I freeze up? What if I forget everything I want to say?”

“You won’t.” I brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “But even if you do, it doesn’t matter. You’re not there to be perfect, darlin’. You’re there to be you. Honest, brave, and wonderful. That’s more than enough.”

She turned then, facing me fully, her eyes soft. “I don’t think I would’ve made it to this point without you.”

“You would’ve.” I pulled her into my arms. “I’m just honored that you let me be part of your journey.”

Her hands rested against my chest, and for a moment, we just stood there, the hum of the crickets outside the open window filling the space between us.

“You need your bowtie done.” She pulled away and fixed my tie.

“Thank you, darlin’.” She had tied a perfect knot, even if I fucking hated bowties…or ties of any sort. But the occasion warranted a full monkey suit, so I had to oblige. You couldn’t walk away fromalltraditions—some had value, this one did.

The annual Savannah Soirée for Hope was, once again, being hosted at the elegant Harper Fowlkes House.

Strings of fairy lights hanging from the ceiling transformed the grand ballroom. Tables were draped in white linens, each with lush floral arrangements and flickering candles.

As we walked in, I stayed by Pearl’s side, my hand resting lightly on the small of her back. She graciously greeted people, her smile warm despite the slight nervous energy radiating from her.

We made our way to our table, where Cash, Alice, Maddie, Caroline, and Birdie were already seated.

Pearl’s nieces lit up when they saw her, hugging her.

“You look amazing, Aunt Pearl,” Alice remarked.

“She’s right,” Maddie added, glancing at me. “Doesn’t she look amazing, Uncle Rhett?”

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