Page 79 of L.O.V.E

There was no disappointment in her tone, only concern. “Because he was taken.”

“I had no right wanting him. I never should have befriended him. I told myself I was doing it for Lacey. But that was a lie.”

“Why then? Because of Victoria?”

“No. Oh, God, no. Because I loved him. I fell head over heels the first time he looked at me. Before I knew he belonged to her. He was a stranger, and I thought I’d never see him again, but it didn’t matter. He looked at me, and I fell.” I pulled away, shaking my head. “I know that sounds ridiculous.”

“Why? Why is it ridiculous? The first time I laid eyes on your dad, I knew he was the one. I saw our future laid out. Sure, details were foggy, but our fate was there, certain as the rising sun.”

“Dad wasn’t engaged or unavailable when you met him.”

“True.” She wiped a tear off my cheek, her lips quirking. “So you fell in love, and the timing was terrible. But you didn’t act on that attraction, right?”

I shook my head.

“Good. But—”

“Cole.” Ellis walked through the back door. “Need help with that?”

My guts twisted. Mom gasped. We turned our heads at the same time, and thank the good Lord for Mom’s arms because my knees buckled at the sight.

Cole stood against the kitchen island, gripping the over-stuffed platter of meat, brows pinched, eyes dark, a thousand turbulent emotions encased in those golden globes.

Clueless, Ellis slapped his shoulder.

Still as a statue, he stood, holding me prisoner with the weight of that glare.

Lacey walked into the room, clapped her hands together, and said, “Oh, good. Steaks are done. I’m starving. Nat Brat, grab the salad out of the fridge.” She snatched a stack of plates off the counter. “It’s a beautiful day. Let’s eat on the deck.”

Mom gave my fingers a squeeze, cleared her throat, then breezed past me and the men, as if Cole hadn’t just maybe, possibly—oh God, who was I kidding? He’d heard every word. Every crazy stupid syllable that came out of my mouth.

With a muttered, “Fuck,” Cole pinched his eyes closed, shook his head, and turned to follow Lacey.

Three deep breaths, and I made my way to the bathroom to splash cold water on my face before joining the others. We sat around the large round wrought iron table, Cole two bodies down.

We ate and laughed, and I pretended like my heart wasn’t breaking, or that my nerves weren’t shredded, and I avoided looking to my right at all costs.

Until Lacey said, “So, what are your plans tonight, Nat Brat?”

“Oh.” I shot a quick glance her way, Cole in my periphery. “I’m joining Finn and Mona for dinner before her show.”

Lacey’s smile fell, but she quickly recovered.

“Don’t worry. I’ll be by first thing in the morning to say goodbye. And I’ll be back for Thanksgiving.”

“And Christmas, too,” Dad interjected, brows raised as if I’d dare to challenge him.

“Of course.”

Leon’s wails brought all of our attention to the little white monitor at Ellis’s side. I pushed from the table, shouted, “He’s mine!” then dashed away before anyone could beat me to the baby.

When I returned, Cole was gone.

“Tonight I’m going to do something I rarely do on stage. But a new, and very dear friend of mine, made a special request. When I asked him why, and why this song, he simply said, “She’s home.” Mona dropped her head, took a measured breath, and cleared her throat, collectively enthralling the crowd.

“His cryptic response was so full of heartache and regret,” she continued. “I didn’t question further. So, my dear friend who wished to remain anonymous, this one’s for you.”

The spotlight changed from white to blue, then followed Mona to the piano. She sat. The room fell eerily silent.

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