Page 110 of Could Have Been Us
Misty wanted us to meet, but I wasn’t ready, and I knew Jack didn’t want that either. It was easier for us in some ways not to be on the fringes of Kinsley’s life. Not knowing her made it so we didn’t have to face the choice we made. There’s not a doubt in mind that, had we allowed ourselves to love her, know her, I would’ve wanted her back.
“Are you embarrassed of me?” Kinsley asks.
Immediately Jack and I speak at the same time. “No. Of course not.”
“Not at all,” Jack says again.
“I know that I was a mistake.”
I lean forward, making sure I have her full attention. “Kinsley, you were not a mistake. Please don’t think that. My brothers, all four of them, and my mother, want to meet you. They are begging, but they also know you’ve been through hell the last few months and don’t want to force their way into your life. If you want to know them, we wouldn’t be prouder than to introduce you.”
She lets out a deep sigh. “I have been an only child with no one other than my parents, and now I have this big family. It’s just . . .”
“A lot to take in?” Jack finishes for her.
Kinsley nods.
“Well, if you’d like to meet Grayson, Jessica, and Amelia, they’d be more than happy to come sit with us.”
I wait, my heart pounding with uncertainty about which way I hope she goes. Grayson was not my top choice of who she would meet first. I would’ve started her off with Oliver. He’s sweet, funny, and makes everyone feel at ease. Grayson, while being a great man and very sweet, is a bit intimidating.
However, it’s her choice.
After another moment, Kinsley gives me a small smile. “I’d like to meet him.”
Chapter 34
Jack
As I walk over to their table, Grayson watches my progress. “Twice in one day.”
“It would be your lucky day it seems.” I turn to Jess. “Hi, Jess.”
Amelia bristles. “What about me?”
“You? I didn’t see you there. You’ve gotten so big, I hardly recognize you.”
She smiles up at me. “You’re silly, Uncle Jack.”
“I am.”
I address Grayson and Jessica. “So, Stella, Kinsley, and I would like to know if you want to join us for lunch?”
Jessica’s lips part, and she grabs Grayson’s hand.
He blinks a few times, briefly cutting his eyes toward his daughter. “What are we saying?”
“I haven’t gotten that far.”
“Okay then.”
I sigh deeply. “Trust me, we’re all winging it. However, Kinsley would like to meet you.”
Tears fill Jessica’s eyes. “Oh, this is just too perfect.”
Grayson glances at his pregnant and emotional wife. “It’s perfect?”
“Well, maybe not perfect, but she wants to meet you, Grayson. So, yes, I’d say that is damn near close.”
