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"True." One value our parents always brought up was that everyone needed a purpose in life or they drifted away. They emphasized that that purpose didn’t have to be work; it could be a hobby, or philanthropy. Just something that gave you a reason to get out of bed every day.
I couldn't figure out why they were worrying about Travis, to be honest. He'd always had a good head on his shoulders.
"I'm going to introduce Megan to everyone, and then we can catch up later," I told my parents. Mom stepped aside, and I grabbed Megan’s hand.
"Sure, but don't be too long,” Mom said. “I want to get to know Megan better."
"Your parents are so nice," Megan said once we were out of earshot.
"They're great."
Lexi, Tyler, and Kendra came up to us as well, and I could see that Megan was already confused, trying to keep track of names. But that was to be expected with a family this big. Then Paisley came over, and I introduced her too.
"Paisley, I've heard so much about you," Megan said.
Paisley's eyes widened. "You have?"
"Yes. Do you want to be friends?"
"Cool. An adult wants to be my friend." Paisley was enthusiastic.
"I do."
She moved a few steps away with Paisley while my brothers and I spoke about Travis. I couldn't help but overhear them. She wasn’t smooth about interrogating Paisley, but she was very successful. She kept asking her favorite color, if she had friends over to play often, if she liked to eat with her friends in her room. My woman was on recon to build Paisley the perfect treehouse.
"Darling, can I steal you away?" Mom asked, appearing at my side. "I see Megan is already busy."
"She's helping me with the treehouse for Paisley's birthday and is getting some information I had no clue about."
"That girl already won me over, just in case you were wondering."
"Thanks, Mom. It's good to know."
"I'm glad you're giving love a chance," she said as we walked toward the bar. "I thought you’d be closed off for much longer."
I was stunned. Mom had only met Cammy a few times. She didn't even know about the property.
"Oh, don't look so surprised," she said. "I know things. I just don't talk about them. You've got brothers and cousins for that. I think you've got more than enough opinions about everything."
"You're right about that."
"Besides, some things need time, and finding the right person.No amount of advice, no matter how well meaning, will help. Now, if you'll excuse me, I’ll help Megan. Paisley can sometimes be hard to read, but I know just how to get all the information out of her."
"Sure." I ended up going by myself to the bar, ordering a gin and tonic.
First Reese, and now Mom. But they had it all wrong. I didn’t need to recover from anything. I’d put Cammy behind me a long time ago.
I got a Spanish gin. The bartender added a huge ice cube that had berries inside.
"That's good, thanks." I tipped him generously.
Turning around, I leaned against the bar, looking around the terrace. Fuck, the more I thought about it, I knew my family was right. Cammy had been out of my life for years, but the experience did leave a bitter taste in my mouth. I'd only had some random hookups for years, with no intention of settling down. Not until Megan. She consumed my thoughts. I wanted to please her every day, in and out of the bedroom.
Scanning the crowd, I saw her with Reese, Kimberly, Liz, and Kendra. Walking up to them, I put an arm around Megan and asked, "What are you ladies talking about?"
"I was just saying that we usually do a girls’ evening when I'm here. We should make that a tradition," Kimberly said.
"Besides," Reese added, "we need to plan a bachelorette for Lexi. We hear the bachelor party is already being talked about."
