Page 58 of Family Like This

I turn to face him, probably looking like an idiot with my face half hidden by the flowers. “Waiting for my date.”

“You mean your girlfriend?”

“Yes,” I sigh. I’m so gone for this girl it’s ridiculous. But that’s probably a good thing seeing as she’s having my baby. “But we skipped the dating phase, so I’m starting from scratch on that front. Do you think—nevermind.”

The classic Joel lopsided smile crosses his face. “Do I think what?”

Ugh.When did I become this guy? “Are the flowers good enough?” I mumble.

He laughs for a second, then mashes his lips together, trying to hold back further laughter at my expense. “They look great. She’ll love them.”

I breathe out a sigh of relief. “I hope so.” With my brain functioning at full capacity again, I turn back to him. “Wait a second. What areyoudoing over here?”

He looks around like he got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. “Me? I’m uh… well, I just wanted to um—”

“You’re trying to sneak a look at Sarah, aren’t you?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Joel says, rocking back and forth on his heels and not bothering to hide his grin.

“Uh huh. Get out of here.”

“Just one more minute.”

“Now. Or I’m calling for backup.” I fish my phone out of my pocket, ready to fire off a group text to Aaron, Jesse, and Trevor to get his ass away from here.

“There he is,” Aaron calls.

I turn to see Aaron and Jesse jogging over with Joel’s oldest brother, Jared.

“Dude, I will chuck you over my shoulder,” Jared says. “Get out of here. Let’s go.”

He gives him a shove.

“Fine,” Joel says with a huff, letting his brothers lead him away.

Aaron steps up next to me. “Nice bouquet.”

“Thanks,” I say quickly. This feels weird.

He chuckles. “First time giving a girl flowers?”

“Fuck off.”

“You kiss your baby mama with that mouth?”

I turn to him, smiling like an idiot. “Yep. And she loves it.” He laughs and looks over at the parking lot. “What are you doing?” I ask.

“Waiting for my girl. This time I don’t have to wait to see her in a gorgeous dress.” He winks at me, then smacks me on the back. “Speaking of which, there’s yours.” He nods toward my car pulling in, and I take off at a fast walk across the parking lot.

I’m jogging by the time I get to the car. She’s just shut it off, so I hurry over and open her door for her. Her eyes dance as she climbs out. “What’s this?”

“For you. I told you I wanted this to be a date. That means flowers.”

She shuts the door and takes the bouquet from me, looking them over as I hold my breath. Then she smiles. It’s big and vibrant. “How did you know I like sunflowers?”

I shrug. “I didn’t. I guess the florist must’ve figured it out from the crappy answers I gave to her questions.”

Amelia laughs, turning the bouquet so she can look at it from all sides. It has two sunflowers, some dark pink roses, and some pink and purple wildflowers. “They’re perfect. Sunflowers were my dad’s favorite. He said no matter what, they find the sun, and when there isn’t any, they persist through the rain.” She swallows and looks up at me. “That’s how he always wanted me to be. These are beautiful. Thank you.”

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