Page 4 of Meant to Be
“He says it’s because—”
“Not Kevin. Why isshehere?”
He shrugged. “We didn’t get that far. Actually, I pretended not to know her.”
“That’s insulting.” But she said it like she was proud of him. “She call you on it?”
“Yes. And then Jenny asked if she knew the bitch who dumped me.”
Lexie snorted. “Did she?”
He nodded. “She said she knew her, but she didn’t admit how well. Jesus.” He pinched the bridge of his nose, craving another shot of bourbon but knowing he needed to keep his wits about him for a family meal. His parents, and he supposed Lexie too, thought he was overly cavalier with his life, especially with the ladies, and on occasion with the drink.
“Why is she here? Is it because of you? It has to be because why else—”
“I don’t know and I don’t care.”
“You’re not the least bit curious?”
“No.” Which wasn’t exactly true, but his curiosity ran more to how long she planned to stay.
“Curious about what?”
Mitch turned at the sound of his brother-in-law’s voice. “Drake, hi.” Mitch stood and shook Drake’s hand.
“Mitch.” Drake smiled. This happy, outgoing Drake was a stark contrast to the dark, broody man Mitch had met two years earlier. He’d seen the sparks of attraction between him and Lexie but wouldn’t have ever imagined his spunky, pixie-like sister and the tall, intense businessman from New York would make a life together. Then again, what did he know about love?
“How was work?” Lexie rose from her chair and gave Drake a hug.
Mitch both admired and envied the love between them. At one time, he’d thought he and Sydney had that kind of love. He’d been wrong.
“Same old, same old.” Drake kept an arm around Lexie. “I’ll need to go to New York next week.”
“Do you miss it?” Mitch couldn’t stop himself from asking. In many ways, Sydney and Drake were similar. Both came from rich, prominent families and big cities. But Drake had been willing to ditch it all to make a life in a little, rural Virginian town with Lexie. In the end, he was able to stay in the family business and work most of the time from home, with only occasional visits to New York. But would someone like Sydney be happy here?
“Only the pizza.” Drake grinned.
“Mitch had a hard day.” Lexie looked up at Drake. “He needs good news.”
Drake smiled down at her. “You don’t want to wait for your parents?”
“No. But.” She turned to Mitch. “You have to act surprised later.”
“Sure.”
Lexie grinned and, like always, it was infectious. “Drake and I are expecting.”
“Expecting what?” Mitch deadpanned.
“Ugh, you’re so dense sometimes, Mitch.”
He laughed as he pulled his pint-sized sister into his arms. “Congratulations.” Then releasing Lexie, he pulled Drake close for quick hug “Did it happen on the kitchen table?”
Drake’s cheeks reddened, but Lexie punched him. “You’re a pervert.”
“Hey, I’m not the one—”
“Don’t you want to know when the baby is due?” Lexie shook him.
