Page 82 of Destined Lovers

Both Wills and Jackson made sure Maeve’s wheelchair fit in the boot of their SUVs. Thankfully, it did otherwise, knowing my friends, they would have purchased new cars to accommodate Maeve. I, although thankful for all they do, wouldn’t have wanted them to go to those extremes.

Then there’s Sadie. Without asking, she’s taken on a sisterly role with Maeve, bringing her along to the places she and her daughter Charlie go.

Museums, library classes, shopping, you name it, they’ve done it. She often accompanies Maeve to her therapy sessions if she isn’t working, and I know Maeve is thankful to have more than just me and her nurse around.

Above all, Sadie has included Maeve in the opening ofAmelia’s Angels,an animal rescueshe just announced she is opening this year.

It’s a rescue that houses animals in need, either labeled as senior or with some type of disability, making them less desired by adoptees. The best part, in my opinion, is that she is opening half the job positions and volunteer spots to people with disabilities themselves.

Finding jobs like this for Maeve has been challenging in the past, so she’s been nothing short of ecstatic about starting her new volunteer job.

The other days I’m at work. Penelope tells me she likes to spend time at Sadie’s floral studio, where she paints the flowers in her shop as Sadie works alongside her.

At first, I was hesitant for Sadie and Maeve to get so close, wanting to protect her from any more heartache, but my best friend would never hurt my sister.

Unlike others.

After last year, Maeve and I were devastated, almost beyond repair. I’m livid at Nora for leaving us again. I don’t know why she did it, but if we ever see her again, I’m not sure Maeve or I will ever be able to put our trust in her again. She left a lot of damage in her wake this time around, even more than the first time.

My ultimate hope is that if I do ever see her again, she has a good reason for why she tore my heart out and left me like I meant nothing to her.As much as I want to hate her for what she did, my heart still aches for her. Dumb, I know.

My phone dings with a text breaking me out of the thoughts I don’t want to have in my head, ones I work tirelessly to keep at bay. I may still be looking for her, like a fecking eejit, but it doesn’t mean she has the right to take up any more headspace than she already does.

I glance at my phone. It’s Wills telling me he’s on a work call, running late, but Sadie is on the way to the restaurant for breakfast with Charlie and my surprise for Maeve.

Waving goodbye to Penelope and wishing her a fun day off, we head to meet our friends.

“Uncle Dec, we’re over here!” Charlie yells enthusiastically, bouncing on the spot.

“There’s my girl, come here,” I tell her, and she comes running full speed into my arms. I love this kid like she’s my own.

“Hi Maeve.” She leans over in my arms, causing me to bend over so she kisses Maeve on the cheek. Maeve smiles lovingly at Charlie.

“Hey, Slim,” I greet Sadie with the nickname she earned from a drunk night of karaoke many years ago. “Where’s the Pup?”

“He’s sleeping in his carrier. Would you like me to take him out now? I’m not sure how long Charlie will be able to keep the secret anyway.”

Charlie huffs, annoyed. “I know how to keep secrets, Mommy.”

“Oh yeah, why did you tell Auntie Lola the other day that Auntie Belle and I didn’t like her new haircut?”

“Oh.” She scrunches up her cute little nose. “Well, she gave me candies.” She shrugs her shoulders. Obviously, sweets trump secret keeping in any kid’s life.

I place Charlie back in her chair and turn to Maeve with her surprise dog.

“Mo dheirfiúr, I have an early birthday present for you,” I say, getting her attention. I open the bag, and the cutest chocolate lab mix opens his eyes and lets out a tired yawn.

Maeve’s eyes widen in surprise and complete shock. We hadn’t talked about getting a dog in a while, but I knew she would be overjoyed if I surprised her with one.

“Dog for me?” her tablet speaks, too excited to get the words out quickly enough but reaches out her hands to hold him.

She holds the dog close to her chest, and her eyes swim with tears.

“Th-th-thank you, Dec.”

“You’re welcome, Maeve. Happy tears, I hope?” She nods enthusiastically and then giggles as the puppy licks her face.

Sadie’s rescue is not officially up and running yet, but since the announcement two days ago, she’s already been inundated with calls. Wills and I played rugby on the same team, and before he retired, he has unofficially coined the title,best of our time.

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