Page 67 of Loving You

Mom nodded, satisfied for now, then held out a hand for us to precede her deeper into the house. Everyone was lounging in the living room, and Sammy’s “Hey!” was quieter than usual since he held Willa, who looked like she was either coming or going from sleep.

“April! I’m so glad you’re here,” Ellie said, jumping from her spot on the floor next to baby Lea and wrapping April in another hug.

Soon enough, Ellie ushered April to a spot on the floor where April played with Lea’s toes. And just like every other second of the last ten minutes, the sight of her cooing at my niece hit me in the gut.

I’d always wanted kids. In fact, at some point before my father died, I’d imagined getting married young and starting a family just like he and my mom had. But I didn’t regret the way my life had gone thus far, especially since it’d led me here. My family was flourishing, and I’d found my person.

It shouldn’t have been a surprise to realize that now that I knew who I wanted to build a life with, I wanted that future to start now. But I wouldn’t pressure her, and I wouldn’t rush things. Her attendance tonight would be the first of many Walker family dinners, and seeing her fit in so seamlessly already made my heart ache from the sweetness of it all.

And of course she fit in. She already knew my family. They already loved her, and based on my mom’s greeting, she heartily approved. I hadn’t doubted she would, but I hadn’t been open with her about what was developing between us.

On the way here, I’d wondered if she’d make a bigger deal out of it, but so far, she seemed happy. Happy for me, but there was also a look of relief and gratitude in her eye I couldn’t help but think was for whatever higher power or fate that’d brought April and me together.

“Hey man, good to see your better half here today,” Will said, patting me on the shoulder as he walked in from the kitchen and handed me a beer.

I admired the label on the bottle—one of the first few the warehouse up north had produced after Jake and I visited. The image was a Walker’s IPA logo we’d commissioned from April’s sister May, and she’d done a great job.

After appreciating both the artwork and Jake’s accomplishment, I touched my bottle to Will’s. “It’s good to have her here.”

The moment hung, our eyes connected, and in some distant way, our minds. Though our relationship was still healing, I felt a tug of that twin-like closeness to Will. I was sure he knew just how significant my statement was.

He’d loved and lost and then rediscovered that love years later, but I’d never loved—not once—other than family. I’d kept myself from even the possibility.

But loving April had been like slipping into a warm bath after a long afternoon shoveling snow. It’d been the most obvious, easiest thing to do after overcoming the obnoxious labor of my own resistance to her. And Will’s soft congratulatory smile, his hand squeezing my arm, told me he got that.

“Proud of you,” he said, almost a whisper.

I cleared my throat, fighting the whip of tenderness the comment released into my chest. “Me too.”

It was the truth. I was proud to be open to this—to the beauty of love and to the vulnerability of being with someone after spending so much of my life alone.

I’d been so closed off, but then April had slipped in without warning. Sure, I’d processed the surprise a while ago, but having Will acknowledge that it’d been a choice I could’ve rejected felt validating in some strange way. Like I’d taken a step I could’ve avoided, and that was the thing he was proud of.

That said, I also had a feeling I could no more have rejected my love for April than I could insist on not breathing oxygen.

She was essential to me now.

“Any word on the asshole?” He kept his voice low.

I glanced at April as she dropped a kiss to Lea’s fuzzy head. Kate beamed and Ellie laughed. Rachel sipped water and gazed on with a dreamy look on her face as Sammy ran one hand over her back and cuddled Willa with the other.

“Not a peep. I almost wish he’d show his weasel face so we could do something, but so far he’s quiet.”

“I get that. I don’t want anyone getting hurt, but if we could prove he’s harassing her, maybe she could get a restraining order or something.”

Will’s eyes—like mine—stayed locked on the little scene in the living room, but I knew we were both running through scenarios of how to best keep our people safe. Not because it was our jobs or because we were sort-of tied as the oldest brothers, but because we’d die before we let anything happen to any of them.

“Exactly. But for now, she’s with me or at work ninety percent of the time. She’s careful not to go anywhere alone, and even though she’s loosened up a bit, she’s still on her guard.” I told him, hating that she had to be, but glad she hadn’t dropped all concern.

After a moment, Will turned to me. “Are yousureshe hasn’t seen him again?”

My brow furrowed. “If she had, she would’ve told me.”

He shrugged one shoulder. “Hopefully she would’ve, but she spent a hell of a lot of time hiding that part of her life, and it might be hard to be upfront about it now. Plus, with how well you guys are doing, she might not want to bring things down by mentioning she saw that douchebag again.”

“She doesn’t have to pretend with me. She knows she can tell me anything.”

Will held up his hands. “Of course. Just voicing a concern, but I get it. You guys are tight, so you’re probably right.”

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