Page 72 of Her Ex-Husband's Brother

“How about we go chat at the coffee shop across the street so we can have space to hear ourselves think?” Mack says, and I nod like a bobble-head. Yup. Space. Space would be good right now, especially when I’m having all these…feelings.

But I take one lingering glance back to August before we go, wishing I could pull out my camera to capture his devastatingly handsome face as he bends over, concentrated on his work.

Again, there’s that now-familiar swoop, low in my belly.

This can’t actually be real, can it?

Almost every night, in his bed.

Waking up to those stunning, too intense eyes gazing at me, his strong but gentle fingers caressing hair out of my face.

He takes my breath away.

It’s like I’m in a dream I never want to wake up from.

At some point, we’ll have to open our eyes and take a breath, won’t we?

Or what if, some dangerous corner of my heart whispers, it’s so much more desperately worse, and you’re actually really and trulyfallingfor your ex-husband’s brother?

TWENTY

LENNON

“I hadthese really great meetings with August’s boss.” I spear a piece of salmon salad as I look across the table at Mom, who’s finally gotten a day off and asked me if I wanted to go out for lunch. We picked a little café in one of the smaller towns that’s turned into a south suburb of Austin the past decade, not too far from the RV park.

I know Mom’s been feeling bad about not getting more time with me since everything blew up. Still, we haven’t exactly been close the last few years. So talking about work feels like the safest topic.

“So I’m going to expand next week to start working with four more artists, including Mack himself. That’s his boss’s name.”

“Oh honey, that’s wonderful.” Mom reaches for her mimosa with a heartfelt smile. “I always knew you would succeed at whatever you put your mind to. You were always so bright.”

I roll my eyes. “Please. I was a walking disaster most of my life.”

She sets her mimosa down before taking a sip. “Hey. That’s my daughter you’re talking about. And what do you mean? You shine at everything you try!”

My mouth gapes. Is that really how she sees me? “What do you mean? I was such an awkward tuna fish as a kid. I had the hardest time making friends, and then when I finally did, it was only because I made myself a people-pleasing doormat for people like Brianna and Jake to trample all over.”

“Oh honey.” She reaches her hand across the table and squeezes mine. “That’s not true. You were such a bright little spark. Always so curious. You were so sweet and caring with your kitties. Oh baby, don’t you see? The problems when you were a kid were allmy fault.”

Her hand withdraws to cover her chest. “I was so bird-brained, bringing one lousy man into our lives after another and looking to them for stability instead of learning how to love myself and protect you better.”

I can’t help busting out laughing. “Mom, have you been watching TikTok again? Are you calling yourself abird?”

“Formerself.” Mom sits up straighter in her chair. “Those young ladies on TikTok really know what they’re talking about. I was too man-crazy and male-centered for too much of my life. I’m not proud to admit it.” Her brows furrow. “Because honey, I know it hurt you. And I’m sorry.”

Well damn. Now all of a sudden I’m swallowing back tears.

Mom’s been a lot of things in my life. Flighty but resilient. A damn hard worker. Yes, man-crazy.

But rarely self-reflective.

And I can’t remember the last time she said I’m sorry.

“Mom,” I say, swallowing hard. “Don’t make me cry in public.”

“It’s okay to cry. Emotions are good!” She raises her hands in a little mock-cheer, even as I see tears crest in her eyes. “Ijust want you to know I mean it, baby. I’m so, so sorry I didn’t do better. And I hope you know how fucking proud I am of you. I’m shocked every day that such a brilliant, kind, fantastic little human came out of me.”

Tears crest and fall down her cheeks as she says it and I can’t help hopping up out of my chair and hurrying around to her to lean over and squeeze her in a hug.