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And just like that, we’re all friends.
“Hi. It’s great to meet you all, too,” I tell them honestly. “Brady and Lydia are wonderful. Thanks for letting them work at the bakery.”
Chelsea laughs. “Are you kidding? Thanks for hiring them.”
“Mom, you make us sound like we’re huge problems,” Brady says with an eye roll.
“No, not when you have a job that keeps you busy,” she says, but she gives him a loving smile and a hip bump.
And stupidly, my heart aches. I know that I’ll continue to see Brady and Lydia for a while, but they’ll eventually go to college and I’ll lose touch with them. I feel a sharp pang of sadness at the sudden realization.
I’d love to see them grow up. I’d love to see where they end up, what careers they choose, and if they stay together. Even if they don’t. Sure, they’ll say that they’ll stop into the bakery when they’re home from college visiting, and maybe they will the first couple of times, but eventually, I’ll just be some lady they worked for when they were kids.
“Hey.” Cam’s deep voice rumbles by my ear. “You okay?”
I realize that I’m just staring at Brady and Lydia. I swallow and nod, focusing on him instead. “Yeah. Sure. Of course.” I don’t even try to force a smile. He can read me, so what’s the point?
“You’re acting weirder than usual,” he tells me, giving me a half-smile. But I can tell he’s a little concerned.
“It’s just a big night,” I tell him.
A big night of trying to keep my shit together while I’m happy and sad and filled with love and despair in equal measures.
Yes, that sounds dramatic. I don’t care.
“Will you tell me about whatever this is later?” he asks.
If you’d told me back when I first turned around and he informed me that he and Alexsei both liked chocolate chip pancakes that this man would turn out to be one of my best friends, I would have laughed right in your face.
But now, I nod. I can tell him that I miss Owen and everything having him in my life meant. He’ll understand. And he’ll make me feel better about it.
Not as good as having Owen back would, but Cam and Alexsei will remind me what I do have and…that’s a lot.
“Oh my God, hot hockey players right up close! Thank you, thank you.”
I see Elise and Austin both coming down the aisle to join Brady and his family. Delighted by that surprise, too, I’m able to actually laugh as I look at Dani.
She shrugs. “I wanted the whole family here.”
Tears sting my eyes, but they’re happy, sappy tears. My parents are here, of course. I know Michael Hughes’ parents and a couple of his sisters are as well. Dani told me earlier that her dad called to ask about finding the game on TV. Alexsei told me his parents will be at the next game in person but are watching tonight, and Cam said his mom is even tuning in tonight.
I grab Cam’s hand and squeeze as I turn around and face the ice.
And then he’s there.
Owen.
He’s behind the bench, in his suit.
He should probably be watching the players warm-up, or conferring with the other coaches, but he’s not.
He’s standing there, staring up into the stands at all of us.
But when I turn, his eyes lock on mine.
Not Brady.
Me.
