Arlo smiled at his mom. “Thanks, Ma. It means a lot.”
“I think it’s great too,” Arlo’s father chimed in and mine nodded.
“I always had a feeling you two had something going on.” My mother grinned, wagging her finger at us.
“No way.” I said to her in a teasing tone.
“I did! Always making googly eyes at each other.” My mother laughed. “I think it’s great. So, should we expect another wedding soon?”
I blanched. “Slow it down there, mama. We just got together.”
Arlo wrapped his arm around my shoulder. “You never know what the future holds, but first we need to tell Annie.”
“I think she’ll be fine with it.” Arlo’s mom said. “We all had a feeling.”
“Not you too, Ma,” Arlo said.
“It’s easy to notice love.” My father said, and my eyes filled with tears. He wasn’t a very emotional man, so for him to say that meant something special to me.
Telling our parents went better than we expected and we celebrated with a bottle of wine later that night. I’d pretty much moved into Arlo’s place now, having brought my toothbrush over and a few extra clothes. Being a professor at the local college, I needed a few work outfits, and it was easier than stopping home to change.
And a week later, when Annie arrived back home with her husband, we broke the news to her quickly, not wanting to sneak around.
“Wait, what do you mean you two are dating?” Annie let out a strangled laugh before looking at Jared, then back to us.
“Yes. Please don’t be mad.” I said, stepping forward and offering a hug.
Annie looked shocked, but she walked into my arms and hugged me tight. “You like my brother? Since when? I mean, I don’t care, I always kind of wondered, but um, what?”
I chuckled. “I’ve pretty much always liked him. Just was too shy to do anything about. Plus, I’d be devastated if anything ever happened to our friendship, so I kept it inside.”
Annie stepped back, her hands gripping my shoulders as she really looked into my eyes. She then did the same for Arlo.
“I love you both and wish you all the best. Hurt each other and I hurt you both,” Annie said, then pulled us both in for a hug. “And no kissing in front of me. Ew.”
“I don’t think that’s possible.” Arlo teased, letting go of Annie and wrapping himself around me. “She’s too irresistible.” He leaned down and kissed me.
“Dude ew! You’re my brother! And that’s my friend!” Annie lost it, hysterically laughing as we all laughed together.
And as the days turned into weeks, I fell more and more in love with Arlo. I didn’t think it was possible to love the man more, but it was. Because it happened.
Arlo took care of me, letting me sleep on the weekends, something I so passionately loved. He fed me cocktails while cooking dinner and kept me full of delicious homemade food. He did chores, taking pride in keeping his place clean and even doing some of my laundry with his.
After a few months, he officially asked me to move in with him, and I jumped at the chance. I spent every night there, anyway.
My parents were sad to see me go, yet happy for me at the same time. Annie couldn’t believe it, but like she said, she could visit us at the same time now.
I smiled so much lately my cheeks hurt, my life now exactly how I always dreamed it would be.
With the love of my life, Arlo.
EPILOGUE
Arlo
Six months later
“It needsto be perfect though, sis.” I lamented to my sister as we drove to the jewelry shop in town to pick up the ring. She had helped me design it specifically for Amethyst, and I wanted to make sure it was perfect before I took it home.
