Page 86 of Tides and Tidings

I snapped a quick picture of the three of us in front of the tree, smiles so wide our eyes creased in the corners.

Charlie looked at me. “We have people we need to call.”

“Rose first!”

“Wells next?” The left corner of Charlie’s lips lifted.

I placed a kiss on his cheek. “Absolutely.”

Charlie

I couldn’t believe she said yes. This woman is way out of my league.

We called everyone we could think of—Rose, Wells, Claire, my parents, and a few of the Wippowa locals. It was exhausting to tell the story over and over again. Wren went to bed halfway through the calls. Before she went to bed, she spoke to her Auntie Rose, Uncle Wellsy, Grammy, and Pops.

When Blythe and I met, I kept to myself. I rarely interacted with people and hated nothing more than owing people after they had done something for me. When my friend Claire asked me to pick up her new friend from the airport, I groaned but agreed. I knew damn well that I owed her for watching Wren a few months ago when my mom was sick.

Little did I know that when I picked up the girl with the sad smile and red eyes at the airport, I would be a goner. All Claire told me was that this girl was going through some kind of life crisis. Aren’t we all? If I had known that the woman I picked up that day would be my future wife, I would’ve been a little nicer to her belongings…

When I first called Wells after meeting Blythe at the airport, he told me this would happen.

“You’re talking to a girl?” There was a shock in his voice.

“No. That’s not what I said.”

“What did you say?”

“I said Claire had me pick up some new girl today.” I corrected.

“Is she hot?”

“Wells…”

“What? Live a little. Think with your dick for once.”

“I can’t. I have a—”

“A kid. I know. Your mom told you she would watch Wren if you wanted to start dating again. Shit, man, I’ll watch Wren. She knows she loves Uncle Wellsy.”

“I know.”

“Break down your walls a little bit. It might do you some good.”

His honesty was a gut punch. He has been my right-hand man for more than half my life. Wells is one of the only people I didn’t cut off after Wren’s birth mom left.

“This girl seems sad. I need someone happy to help boost my mood. Being around this mope all the time won’t do me any good.”

“I think your paths crossed for a reason. I’m calling it now. You’re gonna marry this girl.”

“You’re full of shit.”

“I’ll pay for your bachelor party if you marry her.” Wells offered.

“Not going to happen.”

“I’m just sayin’ that’s how much I believe you’re destined to be together.”

“When did you turn into a hopeless romantic?” There was a slight tone of disgust in my voice.