Page 69 of When We Were Young

Hayden clears his throat. “I guess what I’m saying is that I watched you playing with the kids earlier, and you would’ve been a great dad. You’re a natural. It’s a shame you won’t let yourself have that one day.” With that, he stands and pats me firmly on the back. “I love you, baby brother.”

“Love you too, Hayden.”

I close my eyes and zone out for a while, thinking about his words. When I open them again, my mouth goes dry, and I nearly die on the spot when I see Lizette.

She’s got her dress off and sits at the side of the pool in a green bikini that I’m sure matches her eyes.

And damn, she looks amazing.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Lizzie

“Lizette, I presume?” The deep, velvety voice startles me, yanking my attention from the furniture website I’ve been scouring on my tablet.

I suck in a short breath, my hand flying to my chest.

A man stands before me, and he’s the definition of tall, dark, and hella handsome. Tailored suit. Shoes that I’m almost positive are Tom Ford.

“I’m so sorry,” he says quickly. “I absolutely did not mean to shock you. I’m Brian Michaels.”

Maybe one day I won’t react so intensely when someone catches me off guard. But probably not.

Too many years of worrying that Landon was going to appear out of nowhere and cause problems rewired something in me. That kind of fear doesn’t disappear quickly.

I rise from my chair. “No, I’m the one who’s sorry. I was completely lost in thought, trying to make a final decision on tables for the event space.”

I offer him my hand, and he shakes it firmly, his touch warm but gentle.

“Can I get you something to drink? LouAnn makes amazingly good sweet tea.”

“I met LouAnn on my way in,” he says with a grin. “She’s lovely, but I think the two contractors she cornered are a little overwhelmed.”

I can’t help smiling. “That sounds like LouAnn.”

“She was showing them pictures of her nieces. Tried for a second to pull me in. Apparently, there are three nieces.”

Oh no.

If Hayden is one of the men she’s targeting, I hope she’s being sensitive. He may not be ready to date yet. His wife left less than a year ago, and from what everyone says, he took it very hard.

I’m guessing the other one is probably Holden.

My stomach sinks.

“Well,” Brian says, loosening his suit jacket slightly, “Tea sounds perfect.”

While I’m pouring our drinks in the kitchen, I try not to think about Holden and LouAnn’s nieces. I especially try not to think about his stupid three-date rule. Or the fact that eventually, some woman will probably make him want to break it. That thought leaves an ache in my chest.

When I return to the table, Brian stands and pulls my chair out for me. Okay. That’s charming.

“Wow,” he says after his first sip. “You weren’t kidding. This tea is spectacular.”

I laugh softly. “LouAnn will be thrilled to hear that.”

We quickly move into discussing the bachelorette weekend plans. Eight women. Cocktail hour. Charcuterie boards. Homemade bread. A cooking class. Topped off with homemade cobbler at the end of dinner.

Brian leans back in his chair while I explain everything.