Page 37 of Reuniting with Lucy

“Leave it to my mother and Kate to geek out over organizing family events,” Lucy whispered to Jack.

“If either of you breaks out anything color-coded, I’m leaving,” Lizzie said.

Sophie and Kate looked at each other and laughed, indicating some color coding had indeed occurred.

“Mom, I appreciate all the time and effort you’re putting into keeping us all on the same page,” Emma said.

Jack had only been around Emma a few times, but could tell she was “the sweet one.” The way she treated people didn’t even come off as ass-kissing because that’s how she was with everyone. Genuine and nice.

“Yes, honey,” Edward said. “Without you, the family would fall apart.”

“Lizzie, you bringing that handsome young man you introduced me to at the coffee shop to the wedding?” Nana asked.

“Oh, no. That one went on his way,” Lizzie said.

“What was wrong with him?” Kate asked. “Eyebrows too bushy, creepy laugh, small feet?”

From what Jack had learned from Lucy, Lizzie burned through men like a chain smoker used matches. Any minute flaw could spell the end of the relationship.

“Ha. Ha,” Lizzie said. “No. Making out with him was like dealing with an octopus trying to steal your wallet.”

Edward slapped his forehead. “Boundaries, people. We need to talk about boundaries.”

“Speaking of boundaries,” Nana said. “I need someone to help me wax before the wedding.”

After a chorus of “not its,” Edward agreed to pay for a salon visit. Conversation returned to Emma’s wedding.

Jack tuned out on the details but knew it would be a small ceremony followed by dinner, all in the backyard. Lucy’s level of excitement about the wedding concerned him. The vibe he caught wasn’t solely excitement for Emma, but for the wedding itself. He and Lucy hadn’t talked about marriage yet, but he should let her know soon that he didn’t plan to marry again. Commit to a relationship, sure. Live together, sure. But between the fiasco of his first nuptials and his mother’s constant warnings, marriage for him was off the table. Like how she’d disclosed her infertility, marriage, and his aversion to it, was an important topic they should be on the same page about.

He hoped it wouldn’t be a deal breaker, but if her reaction to Emma getting married was any indication, she probablydidwant to get married someday. Family seemed important to her. Still, she was a reasonable woman and would understand where he was coming from. He just had to be honest. Next chance he got, he’d tell her.

CHAPTER TWENTY

“Gene and Walter wanted me to tell you they miss you,” Lucy said, tucking a blanket around Archie’s feet. He’d missed coming into The Drip for the last two days, and Lucy was worried enough that she’d come to check on him.

“That’s a lie, and you know it,” Archie said. “They’re probably talking all kinds of crap about me.”

She smiled. “I’m sure they feel that way. They’re just too manly to say it.Imiss you.”

“Lucy, I think I’m dying,” he said, dramatically putting his hand to his forehead like a southern belle about to faint.

“I hope that’s not true,” she said, biting back a laugh. “I brought soup. My mother’s famous recipe. Known to bring people back from the brink of death. Prepare yourself for a miracle recovery.”

She used his microwave to heat a bowl and put three more single-serving-sized containers in the refrigerator. “I’m leaving you extra for dinner later.”

He took a small sip and hummed. “Mm. This is delicious. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” she said, returning to the kitchen to retrieve the bottle of ibuprofen and a couple of water bottles. She placed them on the end table next to him. “You can have more medicine in an hour and be sure to stay hydrated.”

“Lucy, you’re a godsend,” he said. “You’ll be a terrific mother someday.”

He couldn’t know how much that stung, and she wouldn’t let him. “Thanks,” she said, plastering on a fake smile.

She wanted to be a good mother someday. Wanted it more than anything. The comment made her think of Jack’s statement about not wanting kids. She’d been doing her best to avoid thinking about it, hoping he’d miraculously change his mind. Believing, perhaps, she’d be the one to change it. But, since it wasn’t something she could control, she once again pushed it aside. If and when the time came, she’d deal with it then.

“Text me if you need anything, okay?”

He nodded, and she let herself out.

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