Page 44 of Give Me a Reason

The owner of Chesapeake Bay Resort was Silas Sharpe, and his all-inclusive weddings were a competitor for Gia’s wedding planning business. If a bride wanted that venue, then Gia couldn’t represent her.

“The thought of planning a wedding is overwhelming. I mean, I already have a kid. I don’t need all the pomp and circumstance,” Naomi said.

Chris pulled her close. “What if I want the pomp?”

Naomi snorted. “It’s my day, remember?”

“I have higher hopes for the couples that plan their day together.” When it was just the bride and her mother at the meetings, I wondered if she was just in it for the wedding.

Naomi turned her amused gaze on me. “That’s a low bar for you. I didn’t know you had any hope for newlyweds.”

“I mean, statistically, some relationships survive the test of time.” My thoughts on that were that they stayed together because it was easier than going through a divorce. But no one needed to hear my opinion on the matter. Especially not Naomi and Chris, who were newly engaged.

Naomi smiled and patted my arm. “So generous of you. I’m going to help Paisley finish packing.”

“Take your time.” I enjoyed hanging out with Naomi and Chris. I was happy for them, even if I didn’t think I’d ever have what they did.

Chris rinsed the breakfast dishes in the sink and nodded toward the casserole dish on the counter. “You want the leftovers? It’s a pancake cake, I guess you could say.”

“I ate already, but thanks.” They frequently invited me to eat meals with them. It was a great way to show Paisley we were one big family, and I truly enjoyed their company. Chris was a good guy, and he would be a great stepfather to Paisley.

He placed the last dish in the washer and turned around to lean against the cupboard. “Have you been in a relationship?”

I shrugged. “Naomi and I were in a relationship before we found out she was pregnant.” Looking back, we were more like friends who fooled around. I didn’t have any deep feelings for Naomi. I think that’s why we got along so well now.

“How do you know it won’t work out for you if you don’t try?”

My throat felt a little tight. “I guess it’s a form of self-preservation not to put myself out there. If I don’t, I’ll never find out. I won’t get hurt.”

“That makes sense. But what if you miss out on something great?”

A flash of Aria’s face when she was trying to show me the constellations came to mind. She was literally on fire when she talked about something she was passionate about, and I couldn’t look away from her. “That’s a possibility.”

“One you’re willing to make?” he asked as he swiped a dirty washcloth off the counter and threw it into the laundry room off the kitchen.

I shook my head. “I have Paisley, Ireland, and you guys. I’m content.”

“But are you happy?”

When I thought about spending the day and week with Paisley, I was. “I think so.”

“I have to say, I’ve never been happier than the day I met Naomi. I just knew she was different, that she was a girl I could love.”

Did I feel that way about Aria?

Paisley bounded down the steps with her backpack on her back.

“She’s all set,” Naomi said to me, giving Paisley a big hug. “You be good.”

Paisley rolled her eyes. “I’m always good.” And everyone laughed.

As we left to get in the car, Chris hung back, and just as I was about to get into the SUV, he said, “Think about what I said.”

And because I respected him so much, I said, “I will.”

And I meant it because, for the first time, I’d met someone who could change everything. My thoughts about relationships, my outlook on the world.

The devil on my shoulder said I’d lose Aria as a friend and a sitter if I pursued her, but the selfish part of me wondered if I could have Aria both in my bed and as my employee.

---