Page 18 of A Moment for Us
Jack has outdone himself. Not only has he brought Stella’s entire family out here to witness him proposing but also he has somehow made things right for Kinsley and her father who adopted her, Samuel. It’s been hard on Stella, losing her daughter, but he found a way, and I really pray it works for them.
For today, we’re all going to pretend it will and celebrate their love.
“I’m so nervous you’d think I was the one being proposed to,” Jess says as she sips her ginger ale.
“It wasn’t all that long ago that it was you.”
She laughs. “I know, and these woods are magical. That’s all I know. Two people who are destined to be together, step foot in them here, and poof . . . they become a couple.”
I don’t miss her pointed stare over toward Josh. “Subtle.”
Jess shrugs. “I wasn’t trying to be.”
“Good, but we’re not having this discussion.”
“Fine, fine.” She raises her hands. “I won’t say a word.”
I don’t believe a word of that, but I let it drop. “How are you feeling?”
Her hands move to her belly. “Good. Tired, but good. Amelia is running me ragged, but she’s amazing. I’m ready to have this baby so we can know everything is fine.”
She’s been so stressed since the fire. Thankfully, Jessica wasn’t injured too severely, and she hasn’t had too many complications with the pregnancy.
“No matter what, you and Grayson will handle it, but so far, all the tests have been good?”
She smiles. “They have. And I have to trust it.”
“You do.”
Jessica jerks her head over. “What is going on with Alex?”
I turn to see him standing there, staring out at everyone. “I’m not sure. He’s been different since he’s been back.”
“I noticed the same.”
“Do you think it has to do with the whole thing with their dad?”
Alex was closer to Mitchell than his brothers were. I don’t know if the closeness was reciprocated, but we used to joke about how his father did no wrong in his eyes. I can’t imagine it’s easy for him to know just how low his father would go for his own gratification.
“It could be. Gray hasn’t mentioned anything, but that doesn’t mean anything. His father is basically dead to him.”
I nod. “I don’t blame him.”
Regardless, it can’t be easy. Leaving the family business, the financial security that came with it, and the future they had laid out is a difficult choice. It probably was the best thing that could’ve happened though because it brought the family back together.
“Me either. I’ll make sure I have Alex over soon.”
Jessica would win awards for her kindness. It’s a miracle she’s friends with me. “I swear, you’re the only reason people still like me.”
“Me?” she asks in high-pitched disbelief.
“Yes. You’re the sweet one and balance out my sass.”
Jess laughs. “I balance none of that. You haven’t lost an ounce of it.”
“No, but it’s why guys always loved you. You were sunshine where I was a thunderstorm.”
She bumps my hip. “Since you brought up the topic of guys. I heard a rumor.”
