Page 29 of Heartfelt Goals

“You could take her sister’s attention away…”

“But I wouldn’t,” he interrupted swiftly.

“You’ll have to show her that,” Madeline said gently, almost like she was speaking to a child. “And it’s not going to happen overnight. Children are mini-adults with all of the feelings, yet none of the skills to handle them. Treat her like an adult, be considerate, and focus on doing things together as a family – no matter how hard it feels sometimes. You aren’t her father, you aren’t even her stepfather. You’re her brother-in-law, which is in a whole different category. She’s not going tolistento you, but she might take advice if you can relate to her.”

“I see.”

“Now, what happened with Laurel to make Kendall blow up?”

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Well, we should because you’ve done a bang-up job on your own so far.”

“You know, I didn’t call you for the verbal abuse.”

“Why did you call?”

“Because I’m lost, scared, and I don’t want to screw this up, Madeline. She’s your friend and…”

“She’s your wife first.”

“I know – and I’m terrified I’m letting her down by wanting to take things slow between us…” he whispered painfully, admitting the words aloud. “I know she’s your friend, but I like her… and I’m ruining it.”

“Hang up the phone, Dustin.”

A voice said in the distance as Dustin heard his sister’s maniacal laugh through the earpiece, followed by a ‘You’re welcome’just as Madeline hung up on him.

Dustin turned slowly, feeling a knot of dread pool in his stomach as he saw Laurel’s pale face standing in the doorway of the bedroom where he’d retreated to hide.

“Laurel,” he began nervously, unsure what to say or do.

“I got a text message from Madeline telling me to find you – and keep an open mind,” Laurel began quietly, standing there looking so bereft and alone. To his surprise, she stepped forward and moved to the side, shutting the door behind her. “We have privacy. You have my undivided attention. What did you want to discuss earlier before everything imploded?”

“Us,” he admitted hoarsely. “I wanted to discuss us.”

“I’m listening.”

“Look, I don’t know how to be a husband – and everyone seems on edge, but I just want to help and for us to figure out how to handle a life together.”

“What does that life look like to you?”

“Game night, family dinners, hanging out and watching movies, or going to the zoo together. I want to see you both in the arena, seeing you cheer me on because it would be nice to have someone here for me – and I want to be here for you, too.”

“As friends.”

“As spouses who are starting out and doing everything backward,” he began softly. “I was happy it was a two-bedroom because that meant I could have space and time alone with you – here.”

“In twin beds.”

“Yes,” he answered honestly, watching her face for reaction. “I got twin beds for us, just like the matching cars, because I want to give this a ‘go’ between us the right way. I don’t want to sleep with you, but rather, I would like us to grow into something deeper between us. If I wanted just sex with someone, I wouldn’t have married someone as kind and sweet as you. Do you know how hard it was to marry my little sister’s best friend?”

“You’re not helping your case.”

“I know,” he sighed heavily and sat down on one of the beds. “How do I explain it? I look at you and see those pajama parties when you two were so darn annoying, always shrieking and laughing, and Kendall looks just like you did at her age,” he tossed a wry smile in her direction as she gingerly sat on the other twin bed.

“You should tell her that.”

“I would, if I could get past the whole ‘I hate him’ part,” he began. “She looks like you but is so different. You were always smiling and laughing – and she looks like a rabid dog ready to attack.”

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