“We loved having you. For the next month, no plans for game nights. It’s our son Dean’s night with his grandparents, and we’d love to spend more time with you, Ren. You’re one of us now,” Sofia said, pulling her in for another hug.
Those leaving walked out together, talking softly since it was so late. Niko and Leyla hugged me before heading to their car. Leyla leaned in and whispered, “I think you’re in trouble.” With a smirk, she led Niko away.
“I’ll be right there,” Ren said to Vicky and Miles, who happily walked down the street to their car, hand-in-hand, whispering and kissing.
“I could bring you to the cottage if you want,” I said, shuffling from side to side in the front yard.
“It’s okay. You’re picking me up after church to go to your grandmother’s. No need to make you do all that extra driving.” She seemed a bit nervous for the first time tonight. “I had a great time, Mike. I’m so happy Vicky has this, has all of you.”
“I’m the lucky one to have been accepted into their crazy clan.” Her eyes looked down, and a sad expression crossed her face. “Wish you could be here with us. All the time, I mean.”
She looked up, her eyes scanning mine. “Yeah, I do, too. I told Vicky how strange it is that I feel so at home here. It took me by surprise the first time I visited, and even though it’s only been a few days, that feeling is even stronger.”
My heart was threatening to leave my chest. “Vicky has talked to us about how much you two want to start your own firm. Could, I mean, is that a possibility?” I held my breath as I waited for her answer.
She shook her head slowly. “I can’t see how it’s possible. When she invited me back, I looked up some information, just out of curiosity.” She scoffed. “The immigration process, not to mention the cost of a lawyer, if needed, to help if I got that far, is brutal. Impossible.” Her last word was a mere whisper.
My brows furrowed as I tried to think what to say. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Well, of course, unless you know someone who would marry me,” she said with a laugh.
I was pretty sure I’d stopped breathing and was stunned into silence.
“Anyway, I’m heading out. I’ll be ready at 2:30 like we talked about. Looking forward to meeting your Grammy,” she said with a smile. “Ciao, Mike.”
“Night,” I mumbled, watching her walk to the car. Miles started it once she was in, and they all waved as they passed me.
My mind was still swirling around when I finally made it home. Sometime around 3 a.m., I finally drifted off to sleep, dreaming of Ren in a long, white dress.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Renata
“Had a good time?”Vicky asked lazily from the front seat, her sleepy voice making me smile from the backseat. “Just like I knew they would, they all loved you, Ren.” I could tell she was smiling as she held Miles’ hand over the middle console.
Keeping my emotions in check, I swallowed before answering. “They’re amazing. I had a blast. Sofia and Leyla are hilarious.” They verbally sparred over everything from game rules, who was to blame for the apparent breakup of the leading actors in their favorite Turkish series, who got to eat the last meatball, and whose husband was more handsome.
It was perfect. It was everything I was missing.
“And that was tame. They were toning it down because you were new,” Miles said, looking over at Vicky as she hummed in agreement. She had turned her head toward him so I could see her profile. She had her head pressed against the seat, her eyes closed. The love he had for my friend was palpable.
“It’s amazing how well you all get along. I mean, seven people from different careers and cultural backgrounds, different ages.Some of you were friends forever, some are new to the group, you and Luke are brothers,” I huffed out a laugh. “It’s an eclectic group, but you seem to make it work.”
“Well, you haven’t seen Leyla and Luke get into it yet. Those two are like brother and sister. And she’s ruthless about sharing embarrassing stories about him. They’ve known each other since middle school, and she knows more of his secrets than I do. Ask her to tell you about him shaving his legs for a swim meet.” He chuckled softly, rubbing his thumb over Vicky’s hand as he drove through the quiet, dark streets, kissing it when he got to a stoplight.
“I can only imagine the stories she can tell. Him, too. It must get interesting at Earth Organix with the two of them and Niko working together,” I said, looking at the Pacific as we got closer to the cottage.
“Pfft, wait til you meet Jaz and her husband. Well, he’s quiet, but she’s on another level of crazy,” he said, pulling onto my street. “You know, you mentioned seven of us tonight, but it’s eight now with you.”
My breath caught at his statement. “Yeah, but I’m only temporary.”
Miles pulled into the driveway and put the car in park, but kept it running, smiling again at his sleeping wife, who had her mouth open a tiny bit.
Turning back to me, he whispered, “Ren, we’d all love to have you stay permanently. Just know that I’ll do everything in my power to help you if you ever decide it’s what you want. Vicky mentioned that it might be a possibility. I’d move heaven and earth to help her open her own business with you. Just wanted you to know that.”
Tears pricked my eyes, and I nodded. “Thanks, Miles. I’m praying about it while I’m here. Waiting on God’s clarity for what’s next. And my girl is very lucky to have you on her side.”
His eyes went back to Vicky. “No, I’m the lucky one. She came back for me and MJ. I’ll never get over that she chose us. Can’t believe I get to have her in my life, in MJ’s life.” He shook his head. “God couldn’t have given me a more beautiful gift, especially after I thought I’d lost her for good.” His voice had become wobbly as he spoke of their two-year separation.
