Page 8 of Unexpected Forever
It pinches my heart to know while we text almost every day, I’m no longer the first person she calls with any news she has.
Aidan is that person now.
But from what I know of the man so far, I couldn’t have picked a better guy to take care of the only family I have left in this world.
It gives my heart peace.
I clear my throat. “Yeah. I’ll have to thank Aidan later.”
“How does it feel to be retired?” he asks, sipping his beer.
“Strange. My body isn’t used to not eating five times a day or working out constantly. My knees are thanking me though.”
The reality hits me again, but the gut punch isn’t as sharp as it had been last month when the first day of spring training came around and I wasn’t there.
He nods. “I get it. It took a while for me to remember there wasn’t a set to get to every day. But you’ll be headed back to the field soon, right? Aren’t you managing?”
“Yeah, but not until next season. We’re still working through contract negotiations, and the manager I’m replacing doesn’t retire until the end of this upcoming season.”
I swallow a sip of whiskey. It burns down to my gut, reminding me why I don’t drink much. “I was sorry to hear your show came to an end.”
He chuckles. “Didn’t know you were a fan.”
“It’s fun to watch. I’ve learned some things from your show, which is helpful when I talk to the contractor about the bar I’m renovating.”
“Well then, sounds like you’re ready to come work for Reynolds Construction. Then you can do your own renovations.” His mouth widens with his trademark Hollywood grin, and his blue eyes twinkle.
He has the same blue eyes as his sister, only hers captivated me the moment I saw them.
I smile. “Business must be good if you want to hire me.”
He lifts a shoulder and sips his beer. “Can’t complain.”
“Sure you can. And you do.” Charley’s voice reaches me first, just before the smell of her perfume wraps around me. It’s a light and flowery scent that makes me need to adjust my crotch.
That southern lilt in her voice hits my gut like the whiskey I hold in my hand. Every part of my body tightens hearing it.
And I mean every part, including the parts that have no business tightening—or hardening—around her.
She leans against the bar next to me, giving her brother one of those smirks only little sisters needling big brothers can give.
“Hey, squirt.” Del lifts his bottle in greeting. “Great job on the party.”
“Thank you,” she says with a nod in his direction, then looks out over the party. “I’ll overlook the nickname since you’re paying me a compliment.”
“Well, you deserve it, squ—I mean, Charley. Did it help with the job?” Del asks.
Charley bites her crimson-colored lower lip before her mouth curves into a smile so bright it rivals the sun.
“It did. Emma pulled me aside earlier. You’re looking at the new Events Manager for Gold Mountain Winery and Resort. Starting in two weeks.”
“I knew you could do it, sis. Didn’t I tell you?” Del walks around me to give Charley a one-armed hug and a kiss on the top of her head. “Be ready to hear from your future sister-in-law. Once I tell Addie about this, she’s going to want you to arrange the wedding and all.”
Charley grins up at her brother. “Bring it on, Ace.”
Del nods out toward a table across the room. “And there’s my bride-to-be now. I think I’ll go ask her to dance and give her the good news.”
I look down at Charley once Del walks away. “How about a celebratory drink?”
