Page 82 of Always Been Yours

“Early next fall, most likely,” Lucas replies easily.

“Why is Stanley retiring?” He hasn’t been on job sites in years, from what my parents have said. He mostly does the administration work and runs the store now.

“It’s just time,” Lucas shrugs. “My mom is getting ready to leave the practice in a few years too. My sister and I are both working there now. It’s always been the plan for us to take over when she retires—if we wanted to. We do,” he chuckles. Lucas’s sister, Brooke, is four years older than him and Calypso if I remember correctly.

“What about your dad’s businesses then?”

“There was never really a plan or any pressure when it came to that. My dad was never angry that we both took an interest in law over business. But my cousin Liam’s an architect up in Portland. He double majored in construction management on top of that.”

“He’s taking over then?”

“Yeah.” Lucas goes to the fridge and offers me another beer. I shake my head, knowing that I’m leaving with the girls soon. I never allow myself to have more than two drinks at a dinner when I’m with them. Even that’s pushing it.

“Liam came out here every summer starting his freshman year of high school,” Lucas continues as he wipes off the counters. “He started to help my dad for some extra cash, and he actually really liked it. I think the work helped him in more ways than just financial. He even continued working in construction throughout undergrad and the summers between his graduate courses.” He turns toward us and leans back onto the counter. “I don’t think my dad ever put much thought into whether the businesses would go to the family or not but it’s definitely a solution we’re all happy with.”

“That’s great then. Is your cousin moving out here soon?”

“That’s the plan as of now.” Lucas looks at me a little sheepishly. “No one around Amada Beach really knows yet…”

He doesn’t have to finish his thought for me to know where this is going. “No problem, I won’t say a thing to anyone.”

“Thanks.”

“You should tell us something,” Knox muses, “for the information you eavesdropped on.”

I know Knox well enough to know when he set a trap for someone. For better or for worse, he reminds me of Lexi more often than not.

Narrowing my eyes, I say, “You were talking about it in the same room as me.”

“Whatever.” He waves his hand like that point is irrelevant. “I want to know… something about…” He pretends to think it over but we both know where this is going. His face lights up and I shake my head in exasperation at him. “Vivi.”

Lucas hits him in the torso with the dish towel and gives him a wide eye look. The universal look in a marriage that meansshut the fuck up right now.Turning back to me he says, “Excuse my busybody husband.”

“I plan to,” I tell Lucas. Turning to Knox I add, “I’m not going to gossip about Genevievewith you.”

Her full name slips out, a habit now.Viviwill always hold a place in my heart. That’s always who she’ll be to me at the heart of things—my best and oldest friend. ButGenevieveholds the promise of a future I would very much like to see play out, like maybe I was always just waiting to use that name.

“Ooh, Genevieve, is it? I thought she hated to be called that?” he teases.

“She does. Except by me,” I shrug. “There’s your piece of information.”

His eyes glitter like he just received the answers to world peace. “I’ll take it.”

I roll my eyes at the same time all four of the kids come into the kitchen.

“Dad, guess what!” Daisy is bouncing on her feet. A shy red-faced Matty is standing still next to her but grinning like a little fool.

“What, darling?”

She squeals in excitement, shaking her fists in front of her. “Matty has a lizard! A petlizard!”

Daisy is a fan of all things creepy and crawly. Their oldest son Jake is standing behind them next to Stella, and from the looks on their faces, neither seems too excited at the thought. The two of them have been arguing all evening but refuse to leave each other alone. Insteadchoosingto pester the other into insanity.

Maybe one day I’ll feel that fatherly protectiveness you hear about when it comes to daughters, but I don’t think so. At least not for a while. For now, I want them to relish in the giddy innocence of your first childhood crush. Because that’s what’s clearly happening right now, and I’m not at all surprised by the different reactions to their new feelings.

“A lizard?” I glance at Knox and Lucas. “Really?”

“It’s a gecko,”Matty pipes up.

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