Page 72 of A Moment for Us
Stella grins. “Because I don’t have a father I want to dance with, so I picked my oldest brother, who has always taken care of me.”
Now, I get another rite of passage, and I couldn’t be more humbled by it.
I lean in, kissing her cheek. “You’re very sweet.”
“Don’t let anyone know.”
I pull my sister into my arms, and we sway. “Hero” by Mariah Carey plays, and she smiles up at me, singing the words. The words that are definitely not meant for me.
“I’m not a hero.”
“You were always mine, Joshua.”
“You were easy to save.”
Stella’s trust in me was infallible, but she also knows that any of her brothers would die before allowing anything to hurt her.
“When I was weak, you all protected me. You’ll never know how much I love you guys.”
I never thought we were doing something special, we just loved her. “It was just what you do for someone you love.”
Her eyes move to her husband. “I know. I see that now.”
“Jack is a lucky man.”
She laughs. “He told me what you all said tohimabout needing luck being married to me.”
“Tell me that you’re an easy woman to live with,” I challenge her.
Stella’s smile broadens. “He really has no idea, does he?”
I spin her slowly. “Nope, and it’s too late now.”
“I’ll go easy on him for a few months.”
I shake my head and grin. “And this is why I’ll never marry. It’s never what we think, and we somehow fail the other person.”
Stella’s eyes fill with concern. “Josh . . .”
“No. Not today. It’s your day.”
My sister isn’t one to let things drop, especially when she has the opportunity to give her opinion on one of our life choices, but I really just want to enjoy her reception.
“Fine, today you get a reprieve. It’s nice that my wedding day won’t have drama, unlike Grayson’s.”
I snort. “It’s still early. Did you notice Alex being weird?”
She nods. “I think he’s unhappy or something. I’m waiting for when he finally loses his shit. It should be funny.”
“There’s something wrong with you,” I tell her.
“Oh, I know. But since Jack and I made a scene at Gray’s wedding, I assume there’s a plot to do something to mine. I figured it was you and Delia, but so far, you guys haven’t given off a hint of the . . . you know.”
The baby. Well, babies.
“Nope. We plan to tell everyone this week since she’s out of the first trimester now.”
Her lips part, and there’s a warmth in her eyes. “Just love her, Josh. Love her because she’s perfect for you.” So much for not meddling. I go to speak, but Stella shakes her head, stopping me. “Don’t say anything. I know what it’s like to give up something you love. Jack and I endured an unimaginable hole in our hearts because we made that choice. When I handed her over to Samuel and Misty, I knew I was doing the right thing. It was the best choice for Kinsley to be raised in a loving home. Do you feel the same when you push Delia away? That she will be better off with someone else?”
