Page 72 of Meet Me in the Vines
Kerry watches me intently, anticipating my reaction. I smile at his expression before pinching the corner of the page to turn.
“Oh my gosh, Kerry,” I gasp, my eyes glistening as I flip through the disposable camera photos from Gran’s happy hourat Sip & Savor. Mr. Frommling taking a selfie with Mrs. Dickson. Josie and Wyatt rolling their eyes at each other. Kerry and Jackson posing like it’s their senior prom. Pop making his speech with his arm slung around my shoulder, our eyes wet with tears.
I slip a teary chuckle as I flip through every page, Kerry laughing alongside me. “I love this one,” Kerry says, pointing to a candid picture of Donovan and me staring at each other in passing. My finger traces along our faces.
When I see this picture of us, I see the way my eyes gleam when I look at Donovan. Even when I felt like I was drowning, he was my lighthouse in the middle of a violent storm.
Always was. Always is.
I feel a familiar pair of strong arms wrap around my waist, and the comforting scent of fresh linen floods my senses. I close my eyes and melt into Donovan’s chest, leaning my head back.
“You see, Mouse? I’ve only ever had eyes for you,” he whispers in my ear. Happy tears form when I open my eyes, overwhelmed by his words and this generous gift. I swivel on my stool, pressing a light kiss on Donovan’s lips. I turn my torso toward Kerry, my throat bobbing to keep from crying.
“Kerry, I don’t know what to say. This…This is—” I struggle to find the words. I look at Donovan, who stands by his brother with his hands in his pockets, showing me an irresistible half grin.
“Thank you,” I choke out, the only words I can muster at the gesture. I hop off the stool and wrap my arms around Kerry’s neck, hugging him like the brother I never had. I feel his grief for Gran, too. They loved her like I did. They saw her as I did. Good and pure. Light and love.
“You’re welcome, Audrey,” he whispers.
“Boys, set the table,” Caleb calls out, holding a large tray of sizzling steaks. The smell wafts in my direction, prompting loudgrumbles from my stomach. All I’ve eaten today was cinnamon rolls.And Donovan.My arousal grows thinking about the quickie we had just before we left that had me on my knees on his front porch.
“On it, captain!” Kerry shouts, breaking my dirty thoughts.
“I get plates!” Kerry and Donovan shout in unison, running into the kitchen and shoving each other as they race to the plate cabinet. Scattered laughter echoes in the kitchen, and Grace’s eyes widen with concern as she trails behind Caleb.
I can imagine her back in the day, wrangling four rambunctious boys around, delegating who does what and no one listening. But these boys love their mama something fierce. I can see it when they look at her.
“Boys, if either of you breaks my new set, you’re both on dish duty every Sunday!” she shouts, rolling her eyes in annoyance. “Kerry, you do napkins. Donovan gets plates.” Clearly, mama bear gets the last word in this house. Kerry groans loud enough for his mom to glare daggers at him.
Logan and I snicker under our breath, watching Kerry reluctantly grab the napkins from a drawer, trying to slap Donovan in the nuts.
“You would think that my adult children would act more adult,” she teases. I offer to take the grilled vegetables out of her hands and place it on the table.
“Thank you, dear,” she says to me as I relieve her of the plate. “Logan, silverware, please?” she asks. Her eyes flick to the kitchen, and Logan gives her a salute and dives in to help Donovan and Kerry set the table.
“Is there anything else I can do to help?” I ask Grace, feeling totally useless. I know she insisted I just relax, but everyone is putting in their helping hand and I feel like I’m in the way. She opens her mouth to say something when I feel Wyatt’s hand touch my elbow.
“Audrey, help me fill up the water glasses?” he asks with a smirk. I give him a relieving smile as I nod my head. He’s not so grumpy after all.
“Sorry I’m late!” A comforting voice floats in the foyer. My grandfather strides in giving a small wave.
“Noah! You made it. Let me get you a drink.” Caleb gently places the steaks in the middle of the dining table and saunters into the kitchen, pouring Pop a glass of wine.
Pop opens his arms wide and I find myself in his warm embrace. I’ve hugged my grandfather more in the past month than I have in a long time. Each time we hold each other, it’s a promise that no matter what, we won’t let anything come between us. We are all each other has, and I want to make sure he knows I am here to stay.
“Hey, kid. You look great. Beautiful, like your mother,” he coos. His eyes soften as he touches a lock of my hair. I clutch my chest, thinking about my mom and Gran, and how much I wish they could be here with all of us.
“Thanks, Pop.” I say softly, resting my head on his chest. The steady thump of his heart washing over me with peace.
With the table set, everyone settles into their seats, Caleb and Grace at opposite ends. Donovan intertwines his fingers through mine under the table, kissing my shoulder.
“I’m so happy you’re here. It feels complete with you,” he whispers into my ear. I give him a wink and my eyes scan around the table. I notice that there’s an extra placemat next to Logan, and a confused expression splashes across my face. Donovan follows my eyes and sees it too, mirroring me.
“Are we expecting someone else?” Donovan asks, pointing toward the empty placemat. I look at Caleb and Grace, and they keep a tight-lipped expression. Kerry and Wyatt look just as confused as Donovan and I. Logan grins across from me, his eyes fixed on his phone in his lap.
“Logan, you look suspicious,” I grumble, crossing my arms over my chest, tilting my head. He dodges my gaze and puffs out his cheeks to stifle a smile. Pop puts his hand on my back and gives me a reassuring pat.
Am I missing somethingagain?
