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“You could have had your own.”
“I like sharing with you.” He pulled my hand closer to him. If I hadn’t known better, I would have said it felt intimate, especially the way his thumb glided back and forth against my skin. My entire body was aflutter. I should have pulled away, but I couldn’t, and heaven help me, I didn’t want to.
I could hardly breathe, but I managed to respond, “Thank you, Sawyer, for always being so generous with me.”
“You make it easy.” He paused for a moment. “Do you think you could help my mom with the dance?”
My eyes bugged out before I could stop them.
“It would mean a lot to me if you two got to know each other better.”
I wanted to ask him why, but I was too stunned, and then I remembered a conversation we’d once had about how family unity was important to him. I didn’t think he had a lot of that growing up. I had until recently, and I missed it.
“I know this has been a hard year for you and your family, but maybe this can be a way to heal some wounds. Maybe help you move on.”
“I can’t move on from my mom,” I choked out.
“Em, that’s not what I meant. I just . . . thought if your heart could mend a bit, it might be open to other possibilities.”
“Like what?”
He paused and squeezed my hand. “Something that requires your whole heart.”
I tilted my head. “I’m confused.”
“I know.”Chapter Seven“You’re helping enemy number one with the dance?”
I looked around the comedy club to make sure Sawyer hadn’t sneaked in before I responded to Jenna. We were hiding out in the sound booth, which wasn’t exactly private as it was near the stage on the floor. It’s where Brad typically emceed depending on what acts they had on tap for the night. Brad’s commentary alone was worth the price of admission. The man in question was nowhere to be seen. That same man was making it hard to distance myself from him. If he didn’t see me, he called me every day and he was coming tonight for the big gender reveal I had planned. I couldn’t wait for Jenna and Brad to know what I already knew.
I lowered my voice before saying, “We probably shouldn’t call her that anymore. I promised Sawyer I would help her and try to get to know her better. She’s as thrilled about it as me.” I thought back to Sunday night when Sawyer and I finally made it back to the main house. There Josephine waited. She was annoyed Sawyer was gone for so long and when she asked me to help her, she choked on her words. She had to hold onto Sawyer for support, as if it was the hardest thing she had ever done. I wanted to say, believe me, lady, this is no cake walk for me and the only reason I’m doing it is because your son is the best person I know and his happiness means the world to me. Instead, I graciously accepted her offer, well, as gracious as it was to say yes through gritted teeth.
Jenna narrowed her pretty blue eyes at me. “Don’t you think it’s weird that Sawyer wants you to get to know his mom better?”
“Not really. When you think about it, it makes sense since we’re related. Though I use the term lightly.”
Jenna started twirling her bobbed curly hair that had turned a darker shade of blonde throughout her pregnancy. “So, you don’t think there is any other reason?” She flashed me a devious smile.
“What other reason would there be?”
She rolled her eyes. “Come on. Do I have to spell it out for you?”
“What am I missing?”
“Emma,” she smooshed my cheeks, “have you ever stopped to consider that Sawyer is into you?”
I snorted so loud it hurt my nose. “I think you have pregnancy brain,” I said through smooshed cheeks, which made us laugh because I sounded ridiculous.
Jenna dropped her hands. “That may be, but I’m pretty sure I’m right about this.”
I waved her silly declaration away. “Do you know how many times he’s called me his friend in the last year? And let’s not forget, after he met me in person, he never asked me out again.”
“He doesn’t need to, he sees you more than I see you.”
“It’s not my fault you got married,” I teased her.
“Actually, I do blame you for it.” She smiled.
“I’m so sorry you’ve been tortured by a man who worships the ground you walk on and spoils you rotten. Please sign me up. I mean, not with Brad, but, you know.”
“There are some days I would let you have him, but I’m pretty sure Sawyer would like the job.”
“Like I said, pregnancy brain.”
“Why don’t you just ask him?”
