Page 18 of Broken Dreams
All of that is great, but I’m pretty sure I’m missing one title out of that list they care the most about—husband.
“Well, all of that is great coming from you, but it’s them I need to sell on it. They like family men. They like guys who are married, with kids, and have a home they need to pay for.”
That’s the hardest part. It doesn’t matter if they walk away because I’m not in a relationship, because they owe me nothing. I need to find someone who doesn’t give a shit if I’m married, a widower, divorced, or any of that. I’m a damn good pilot and I know this business. It’s the right move, but I need startup capital.
“How are you not a family man, when you literally had a wife and have a kid?”
“I don’t actively have one for these parties.”
“So, maybe you should find a girlfriend since you have the kid part, and the home is coming.”
I glare at her. “No and we discussed this. I have no desire to ever date again. I’m happy finally building a relationship with Jett, and being around my family—most of them, at least.”
She rolls her eyes. “I know you, Grady. You’ve always wanted a family and the childhood we didn’t have, more than Asher or Rowan or even me. Mom used to say that you were just like her, searching for that person who made you complete. When Lisa came around, everything felt like it had fallen into place. I’d never seen you so happy.”
And I was. I had everything I wanted, it was great, but things didn’t work out and I had to pivot. I’m doing that, even if my annoying sister thinks I need to be in a relationship to be happy again.
“Well, happiness is fleeting and I lost her and missed raising Jett as a baby. Right now I’m focused on getting the life I didn’t plan on track.”
“And what better way than finding someone tocreatethat life with you?”
I swear, my sister needs to find a hobby and stop meddling in everyone’s lives. “Were you this irritating with Asher?”
“First, I’m not irritating at all. Second, no. He never wanted a relationship. When Sara got pregnant, I remember thinking, oh, great, he’ll finally at least date her. He didn’t, he just arranged it so they could raise Olivia in harmony. It worked for him, and I think he would still be single if he hadn’t met Phoebe.”
“Ever think I want that?” I ask, pointing out the obvious.
Brynlee smiles and pats my arm like a child. “You’re not Asher. You’re not jaded and bitter because of our childhood. Thank God you’re nothing like Rowan who is a player and drives everyone nuts with his antics. You are just scared to love again.”
I rear back. “I’m not scared.”
“It’s okay to be afraid. It’s why you won’t even meet someone because you can’t risk being hurt again. You’re afraid, Grady.”
A part of me knows what she’s doing. She’s goading me into agreeing to meet her freaking friend who I have zero desire to meet.
“I’m not afraid and I’m not falling for it.”
She gives me a patronizing smile. “Whatever you say, but just know that I understand. No one judges you for it.”
I groan. “I should’ve stayed in Florida.”
“Where you could be alone and afraid? No, this is better. At least you have us here to keep you from falling apart.”
I swear to God. “Brynn...”
“Addison!” Brynlee says, getting to her feet. “Hey!”
“Hey, guys! Hi, Grady, nice to see you again.”
I stand to greet her, schooling my features so they don’t show how much I like seeing her. We follow the same schedule in the mornings, and I look forward to meeting her in the parking lot since Jett refuses to enter the damn building without Elodie.
We’ve become friends of sorts, or at least partners in misery.
“You too, especially because I thought you had another date tonight.” I smirk.
She mentioned it this morning and I had to bite my tongue to keep from giving her crap about her shitshow last night.
“I do,” she says, tilting her head.
