He rocks back on his heels and nods. “The girls are having a late lunch together as we speak. Maybe Sophie and Zoey will encourage her to say yes.”

Shit.If Ava does tell the girls about my proposition, Zoey is going to give me a ration of shit for not giving her a heads up. This idea of mine is kind of a big deal, something a twin brother might want to run by his twin sister, especially since Ava is her best friend.

No. I stand by my decision. Zoey may be my sister, but Ava deserves to make her decision on her own. If she decides to tell the girls and ask their opinions, that’s her prerogative. But if she doesn’t, I can’t have Zoey bringing it up and trying to sway her decision, unsolicited. And Ava would probably see that as some sort of underhanded tactic on my part, using my sister’s sympathies to try to get my way.

I climb into my golf cart, and Sam slides in beside me while Jared takes the other one. I drive toward the trees into which my ball disappeared, and Sam kicks back, linking his fingers behind his head.

“You know, Zoey is pumped to be an aunt. She’s already bought a dozen matching newborn outfits, several blankets, and a pair of infant car seats to keep in her car. You know, just in case she’s asked to babysit.”

My mouth widens into a grin. “Sounds like my sister.”

“We’ve decided to start trying for our own baby as soon as we get married. She wants a child, and can’t stop talking about how cool it would be to have our kids be close in age. They would be cousins and best friends.”

“Wow,” I say, my eyebrows hiking up. “I had no idea you guys have been talking about having kids so soon.”

“It doesn’t weird you out, hearing me talk about putting a baby in your sister?”

By the laughter in his voice, I know he’s messing with me. Nevertheless, my elbow shoots out, connecting with his gut in much the same way his did with Jared’s earlier. He grunts and curls in on himself, his arms coming down to protect his ribs from another shot.

“I deserved that,” he says, laughing as he rubs the sting away.

“You did,” I agree. “But also, thanks for taking my mind off of Ava for a few minutes.”

“Anytime,” he says.

I pull the golf cart to a stop and stare into the trees for a moment. Sam offers to let me take a drop, but I shake my head and make my way into the thicket. I find my ball tucked behind an exposed root and sigh. It’s a perfect metaphor for my life right now. The future I want is out there, like the fairway just beyond the trees. I have a few roadblocks to maneuver around, but if I can manage to get past them, it’ll be free, easy sailing from here on out.

Obstacle one. Get Ava to see us being roommates as a good thing. Once she agrees, she’ll realize having me around is as beneficial to her as it is to me. And I won’t miss another second of this journey we’re on together.

Examining the position of my ball, I realize it’s not as close to the tree root as I’d initially thought. I call out to Sam, asking him to bring me the chipping wedge from my bag on the cart. He brings it over and takes a step back, giving me room to make my shot. Aiming for a spot just behind the ball, I drive the club head down.

The ball pops up, clearing the root as it flies forward to land in the middle of the fairway. I pump my fist in celebration, then look over at Sam with a smile.

“Nice shot,” he says, nodding.

It was a nice shot. And it worked because I had the right tool for the job and used it with finesse.

I can do the same thing with the obstacles in my life. I will find a way to get Ava to accept my proposal. And when she does, I’ll use every tool in my toolbox to make sure she never regrets her decision. Not even for a second.

We may have been less than friendly with each other in the past, but that period of time is just that––the past. We’re a team now. Some might even call us a family, albeit an unconventional one. And that familial bond will only grow stronger if we fortify it. Living under the same roof will help in that aspect.

“What if you guys move in together and realize you can’t stand living in the same space?” Sam asks, breaking the silence as if he’s been reading my mind this whole time.

“If it doesn’t work out, at least we could say we tried,” I reply as we walk back out onto the fairway so I can take my next shot. “Besides, I think I’d be pretty easy to live with.”

“No doubt,” he says. “I just want to make sure you’re considering this from all angles, and that you have a backup plan if it doesn’t work out.”

I nod even though I don’t have even an inkling of a backup plan. I have to believe Ava will come around, and that when she does, everything will work out for the best.

It has to.

Chapter12

Go With the Flow

Ava

“Wow, she reallyiseating for three.”