Page 86 of Until Tomorrow Comes
I back away and reach for the door handle, smiling at her when she moves to the side. After one last stolen kiss, I unlock the door and hold it open for her. I almost walk straight into her back but catch myself, my hand landing on her hip to hold us both in place.
I’m about to ask her what’s wrong when movement over Kat’s shoulder catches my attention.
Shit.
Standing across the hall outside of the closed double doors that lead to the reception, is Molly. Before I can even think of moving, my brother rounds the corner, carrying a giggling toddler.
I don’t know what I had been expecting to feel when I saw the three of them up close. Instead, I had been avoiding thinking about it altogether.
Well not exactly. I definitely never thought I’d see either of them for the first time in years coming out of a closet with the woman I just fucked.
Even still, I assumed there would be lingering anger or sadness that might consume me. Yet I feel… calm.
When the toddler in Todd’s arms giggles again, an old ache tugs in my chest, but even that is dulled.
Keeping my hand on Kat’s hip, I step to her side so my arm is wrapped around her and tuck her into me.
Molly stands frozen in front of us, her jaw hanging open as her gaze bounces between Kat and I. Todd stops in his tracks when he finally notices me, pausing for only a second before recovering. His eyes immediately dart to Molly, who is still gaping at us. I clear my throat, running my free hand through my hair and breaking the awkward silence.
“Congrats.”
My brother moves to stand next to his new wife, glancing between the two of us and speaking first.
“Thanks.” He adjusts the kid in his arms and my gaze finally drops to her.
Her curly brown hair is clipped from her face, which she rests on my brother’s shoulder as she takes me in from the corner of her eyes. Even from across the hall, it’s easy to see she took mostly after Molly in her looks, with my brother’s brown eyes.
The feel of Kat’s hand over mine on her hip draws my attention to her. She’s watching me, a frown on her face. I offer a small smile, nodding my head, silently telling her I’m okay.
“I didn’t expect you to actually come,” my brother says, confusion coating his features as he steals another glance at Molly. Her mouth is at least closed, but the shock is still clear.
I shrug, tilting my head in the direction of cocktail hour. “You know how persuasive and stubborn Ma can be.”
Todd nods, finally noticing Kat standing next to me. Slowly, he looks her over, eyes lingering on her chest longer than appropriate. Irritation has me slightly tightening my hold on Kat, hugging her closer to my side. She doesn’t protest, squeezing my hand back in response. I let out a heavy breath, relaxing my hold just a bit.
Kat breaks the awkward tension after no one speaks right away.
“Beautiful ceremony, congratulations.”
The sound of her voice seems to finally snap Molly out of her daze. She glances at the open closet door behind us, raising a brow. Her lip lifts in a sneer and I can see the moment she decides to call us out.
“Right, this is my girlfriend, Kat. Kat, this is my brother, their daughter and his new wife,” I say before Molly gets a chance to run her mouth.
It might be petty, not saying their names, especially when the adorable toddler has done nothing wrong. Seeing Molly and Todd together sucks, but it doesn’t hurt like I had anticipated. However, the pain from finding out that the baby wasn’t mine lingers close under the surface.
Todd shifts his daughter to his hip, smiling at Kat.
“Nice to meet you.” He faces me again, “Ma said someone was hanging around with you, but she didn’t say anything about you having a girlfriend.”
I shrug again. “Much to her dismay, Ma doesn’t actually know everything.”
Todd laughs in response, the sound causing tightness to form in my chest.
“Are we seriously not going to comment on the fact that they were clearly just—” Molly starts, but Todd cuts her off.
“Little ears are listening, Hun,” he says with a tight-lipped smile, barely hiding his glare at Molly. She rolls her eyes, crossing her eyes and sneering at Kat.
“Well…” I clear my throat, glancing down at Kat to find her holding Molly’s stare. A smirk traces over Kat’s lips and before I can say anything, Kat turns toward me, pressing her breasts dramatically into my side and placing a hand on my chest. Holding her tightly, I look down at her.
