Sunday morning, I met Hayden, Leigh, Lip, and Chris for breakfast. It felt odd to have spare time on a game day. My gaze went across the table to Lip as I grinned. Chris was up at the buffet as I whispered. “This is Chris’s first family away game.”
Lip smiled as a soft pink hue filled his cheeks. “You’re okay with him and so are Mom and Dad. I figured we’re not getting any younger. It was time to embrace what’s right in front of me.”
His statement brought to mind Fin’s request.
Lifting my coffee mug, I took a drink. “I think you’re very smart.”
Lip sat taller and squared his shoulders. “Thank you?” He said it like a question.
“I do. I don’t know what I’ve been afraid of when it comes to men.”
“I do,” Leigh volunteered. “They weren’t the right man.”
My thoughts filled with Fin. “I never thought Fin and I would find our way back to one another.”
Leigh nodded. “You have. It’s kismet.”
Lip leaned across the table, his eyes meeting mine. “Sorry, cousin, you’re not getting any younger either.”
“I’m not old. I do think I’m tired of wasting time and energy.”
Leigh lifted her eyebrows. “You think you’re wasting your time with Fin?”
“No,” I answered immediately. “I’m not wasting time with Fin. We’ve both wasted years being apart. I guess, I’m still scared.”
Chris sat next to Lip and set his plate on the table. “Sorry, I’m late to this conversation, but if you want to talk about scared—that was me when we climbed the steps to the plane yesterday.”
My cheeks rose. “You did it.”
“I did. And lightning didn’t come down from heaven and zap me. Grant even said hi.”
“Well, he’s in a better mood,” Leigh said, “since Joe Eads hasn’t been around.”
Grant and Daphne became the topic of discussion as I mulled over Fin’s suggestion. While I wasn’t ready for a house with a picket fence and babies—mine or Bre’s—over the last few months, I embraced sharing living space with Fin. There was comfort in knowing I wouldn’t be alone but rather coming home to someone I love. I cherished falling asleep next to him and waking up in his arms. His cooking was a plus I couldn’t deny.
And then there was his inability to throw clothes into the hamper and leaving shoes by the door. Honestly, I was guilty of the same. We weren’t perfect, yet those imperfections were as endearing as the perks.
“Earth to Vee,” Leigh said.
I lifted my cheeks. “I’m sorry. I was thinking about something.”
“Since we have time to kill,” she said, “we’re talking about going to the Space Center. Would you like to come?”
I shook my head. “I have work to do. I’ll stay here at the hotel as long as I can and head over to NRG Stadium. My operations crew is already there.”
“All work and no play makes Vee…” Hayden said, his eyebrows lifting.
“Are you saying I’m boring?” I asked with a laugh.
We all laughed.
A passing thought of Dad came and went. Dad enjoyed laughing and family. It was time to remember him that way. Having completed the commemoration, it seemed like it was time to gather the pieces and move forward. We wouldn’t forget my father; instead, we’d honor him with our love and laughter. For the first time in a long while, outside Fin’s-in-control-bubble, I felt at least a little lighter.
After calling for a later checkout, I spent time in my suite. There were plenty of emails to take my time. Instead, it was something I’d said to Fin last night that was on my mind.
Dad overslept.
My father never overslept.
