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"No buts, only... can I ask you something? Do you think I could make a good father?" I shoved a hand in my pocket, fingering a coin I found there. My feet sank a few inches in the warm sand. For a second, all I could hear were the waves and seagulls chirping in the distance. I wondered if I'd only said that in my head. I'd never voiced that fear before.
"Graham, you're a great man. I've known you for almost twenty years. You're not like your dad or your grandfather. Get those ideas out of your head, or I'll call Nana."
The corners of my lips twitched. "Don't call Nana. She'll hand me my ass."
"And you'd deserve that for doubting yourself. We're not doomed to repeat our parents' mistakes, you know. Or I'll end up with a bad perm after the age of sixty, or a slight wine addiction. Or both. Imagine the horror."
"I already have a divorce on my resume. First move in following in the steps of my infamous forefathers."
"No. That was the wrong couple at the wrong time. You and Elizabeth weren't compatible. Sometimes it takes time to realize that. I have to go, or Matt will start wondering what I'm up to."
"Enjoy your honeymoon."
"Oh, I intend to. It's either that or feel guilty that you're spending so much money on us. I've decided to enjoy it."
"Good girl."
After saying goodbye to Amber, I sat on the sand and scrolled through the photos on my phone, pulling up the one Lori sent me, with her and Milo at the concert. That little boy had her eyes, but his hair was a light brown.
You made this little boy very happy, Lori had written after the concert. And last night, Lori had definitely had fun. But was I what they needed long-term?
Chapter Sixteen
Lori
When I arrived at Val's house, Milo begged me to stay a little longer because he hadn't finished painting. My sister was resourceful. She had him painting with a squirt gun. Seeing my son reminded me of Jeff's e-mail. I was mad at myself that I still allowed him to affect me so much.
"What are you doing with this boy? Every time I pick him up, he wants to stay longer."
"Won't give my secrets away." Val shrugged one shoulder as she went inside the house. She reappeared carrying two plates of her delicious cheesecake.
"Val, you're killing me."
"You've been on your feet all night, woman. Indulge a little. Plus, you know what Dad used to say. Your sweatpants will never be tight if you don't wear any."
We sat at the wooden table in front of Val's house, watching Milo have fun.
"How was the wedding?" Val asked, twisting her hair into a loose ponytail. Even when she had no makeup and wore sweatpants and a white cotton T-shirt hanging off one shoulder, my sister was chic.
"Beautiful. I'm a little sad it's already over."
"Did something happen with Graham?"
"I slept with him," I whispered.
Val made a sound that had me worrying she'd swallowed her tongue. "Wow! I was not expecting that. How was it?"
"It was perfect. I didn't even know it could be so good." I laughed at Val's eager expression. I was dying to share some details, but I couldn't bring myself to talk about spicy activities with Val. I'd call Hailey later today. She'd eat it all up. I'd give her a heads-up to have popcorn ready.
"You're not going to give me any details, are you?" she asked.
"Nope."
She shook her head. "I still can't believe it."
"You put something in that perfume."
She batted her eyelashes. "That's an idea for an advertising slogan." She clapped her hands twice before drumming them on the table. My sister's mind was a dangerous place. "Oh, Lori. I'm so happy for you. You deserve this so much. "
