Page 45 of Five Alarm Love
Her throat hurt when she swallowed.“It’ll be okay.I feel bad for you and Dad without grandchildren in your future.”
“You can adopt.”
“You know what I mean.”
Her eyes shimmered, making Lou blink hard to avoid crying herself.Saying the results out loud hurt.The theoretical had become real.
Mom gave a practical nod and continued.“Grandchildren are the least of my concerns.Your dad and I want you healthy and happy and fulfilled, living the life that you want.”
Which, for Lou, had meant having children eventually.Or so she’d always thought.She took a shaky breath and forced the enthusiasm.“I’m fine.I’m healthy.I have friends.I have a good job.”She made a face—anything to break the tension.“I have goofball Gordy here.”Thank God, he laughed.The guy was terrific for comic relief.“What’s not to like about that?”
“You know as well as I do that there’s more, but those options may not be available to you the way you had hoped they would be.”
“It is what it is.”Her words were light.Lou’s chest was heavy.
“That seems like a cop-out.”
“Yes, but it’s my cop-out—”
At that moment, the garage door opened.Tuli appeared in the doorway, fall afternoon sunshine pouring in around him.In his hands was a bouquet of fall flowers.
On his face was a classic who-me?Tuli smile.
“What are you doing here?”Lou asked.
Would it be rude to ask Mom and Gordy to leave right now?Because things were liable to get embarrassing.Best guess was that her face had turned reddish purple, given the heat climbing her neck.
Gordy gave a jerky hand wave and made an irregular fist.
Tuli unwrapped one hand from the flowers to gently give a knuckle bump.“Hey, Gordy, you staying out of trouble this week?”
Gordy shook his head and stared at Tuli.“No way,” came the computerized voice.
Mom patted Gordy on the upper arm and murmured, “We should go get groceries for dinner.”
With a wink from Mom and a barking laugh from Gordy, they exited.
Lou’s head spun as she stared at Tuli.“What are you doing here?What is this?”
“Taking the bull by the horns.”His wry smile melted her heart.“I’m good at giving out advice, but it’s time I take it.”
“Huh?”
He thrust the flowers at her.Frankly, it was nice to have something to do with her hands besides nervously twist her fingers together.
Tuli continued.“I know we’ve been friends forever.You’re one of my best friends in the whole world.I, uh… things changed here recently with me, and I’m hoping it’s changed for you, as well.I want more of what we did the other night.I want more of hanging out with you.”
“Which means?”
He made a show of wiping his brow.“You don’t make this easy, do you?”
Her cheeks radiated heat.Heart pounded.Thoughts swirled in a kaleidoscope of colors to rival the blooms in her hands.
Tuli stood there.After a minute, his broad smile wavered, but held.
Lou cleared her throat.“You don’t give up, do you?”
“Not if it’s for something—or someone—worthwhile.”
