Page 247 of New York Love Stories: Vol. 1

She gives him one more kiss. “We’re so happy to share this day with all of our friends and family. We also thought tonight with our parents here was the perfect time to announce we’re having a baby.”

The moms stand on either side to hug their child. It doesn’t matter how old we get—that’s what my mom tells me. The rest of us clap. Staying with them has given me the benefit of being an insider on the situation. As much as it’s weird that Nick’s going to be a dad, a little part of me is envious he’s really kicking off the next chapter of his life while I’m still stuck in first gear.

I reach for my champagne and stand, ready to give the toast as Nick’s brother and his wife, Juni, finish hugging the guests of honor. Juni’s about to have her first baby, making Nick and Natalie an uncle and aunt. When they return to their seats, I hold up my glass. “To the soon-to-be parents. Congratulations!”

After taking a drink, I go around and shake Nick’s hand. I drag him in for a hug, though. “Congrats, man. Couldn’t happen to better people.”

“Thanks, Deck.”

I return to my seat and catch Tatum looking my way. I grin because why not? She’s in a great mood. I’m in a good mood. We bonded over flowers and putting an end to the madness of holding grudges. Holding my glass across the table, I wait until she brings hers close enough to tap.

“Here’s to new beginnings,” she says.

“To new beginnings.”And reading the signs. I keep that last part to myself.

7

Harrison

The second course is served.

The mothers flanking Nick and Natalie have been gushing with excitement since the couple announced the baby. Jackson has talked Tatum’s ear off, but I try not to be jealous.They’re old friends, I remind myself.

He starts a conversation with his other neighbor, finally,giving Tatum and me the first chance to speak.

Tatum leans forward to whisper to me, “You look bothered.”

“That’s just my face,” I reply, teasing.

“No, it’s not. Maybe bothered wasn’t right.” A myriad of emotions flickers through her eyes as she studies mine. “I’m leaning toward jealousy.”

Chuckling, I spin my glass of whiskey between my fingers on top of the pale pink tablecloth. “You tell me. You seem to know the emotion well, or is jealousy a reaction?”

“Why would you say that?”

I hold my hands up in surrender, but inside, I’m laughing. “I didn’t know you had an issue with grammar questions.”

“Stop being ridiculous.” Not when it brings that pretty smile of hers to the surface. She’s still laughing when she says, “I meant, why would I be familiar with jealousy?”

Finishing the amber liquid, I ask a passing waiter for another and then return my attention to the stunner sitting across from me. “No reason. No reason at all.” My words contradict my true emotions. I was so fucking jealous of Jackson, but I’ll never let her know that. Maybe I hid it as well as she did at the bar with those two women.Basically, not at all.

Flirting also seems to challenge our earlier agreement, but maybe we’re just those kinds of friends as well.Who says you can’t have it all?

As we eat, I keep catching the warmth of her gaze on me. She plays it off and is quick to look away most of the time, but she locks her brown eyes on mine every once in a while without apology.

Natalie stands after our plates are cleared, her glow filling the garden with the pure joy written across her face. She gently taps her spoon against the side of her crystal water glass. “We’re having such a lovely evening with you that Nick and I felt tonight would be a good time to . . . well, I want to say something to my dearest friend.” Her gaze slides to Tatum. “You’re my sister and my best friend. I don’t need an answer now, but I’d love for you to consider being our baby’s godparent.”

From the other end of the table, Camille Devreux barks with laughter until she realizes no one else has joined in. My eyes, like everyone else’s, dart from her back to Tatum, who appears mortified by how she’s shrinking in her chair. I’m not sure how to save her the humiliation, but if I could, I’d take it away completely.

I do what comes naturally and stretch a leg across the divide under the table until my shoe touches the tip of hers, wishing it was our hands. Staring into the eyes that remind me of the Catalina cliffs at sunset, I try hard to decipher what’s going on in her head. The strength I hoped to give her can’t compete with the plea shaping her expression.

The uncomfortable silence grows until Natalie reaches across her mother’s place setting without a second thought and takes Tatum’s hand in hers. “There’s no pressure, but we want you to know that we trust you and love you.”

Tatum swallows so hard that I can hear it sitting across from her.

“I love you, too,” she whispers.

Nick doesn’t stand, but he does say, “Harrison, Natalie and I would be honored if you’d consider also being our kid’s godparent.”

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