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Chapter 43
If the amount of time to pack, and the weight of belongings collected, was any indication of a life, then his life in D.C. had been a vacant one. Most of the things that ended up in his suitcase were things he could buy anywhere—clothes, a few books, and his laptop, which was all work. No plants, no pets, no memorabilia of emotional significance, nothing to regret leaving behind. A few meetings, another visit or two to close things off, and he could kiss this city goodbye before Christmas.
Yet everything he carried on him—his tattoo, a plastic-covered drawing, and his heart—were all directing at the point he was shipping his luggage to.
Home was there. Home was her.
Epilogue
“So, if you two become sisters-in-law, that leaves me as just a friend.” Roni pouted, looking at the glass she was holding.
“Just a friend, will you help me choose a wedding cake?” Libby asked. “Anne showed me a few designs, and I can’t decide.” Luke and Libby’s wedding was planned for the spring.
“Liberty Latimer,” Roni said, using Libby’s full name in rebuttal. “Thanks for trying to make me feel included, but you could have come up with something better than choosing a wedding cake. I know you couldn’t care less about what wedding cake you’ll have. It could be a Betty Crocker mix for all you care, even though you pretty much grew up in a bakery.”
Libby laughed and exchanged a look with Hope. “I can’t with her. She knows me too well. What do you think? Should we add her to the family?”
“I’m not marrying Jordan … yet. You’re jumping way ahead,” Hope said, placing a hand on Roni’s arm, though she knew Roni was joking. “We only just made it public with my family, and he’s closing things off in D.C.”
“And living half the time in my construction site,” Roni said. “Only men can live in a house that is basically a construction site. I mean, there’s no glass on some of the windows, dust everywhere.” She threw her hands up in a theatrical gesture of I don’t get it.
“Well, he’s not exactly living there,” Hope said with a faux coy expression. “He’s spending most nights at mine and leaves before the girls wake up, which is really early. But, for now, we want to ease them into us.”
“Yeah, that’s why he’s been bringing us breakfast three times a week when he’s here,” Libby said, chuckling. “He then stays at ours while we’re at work, then goes back to Hope’s.”
“Ah, families,” Roni said with a sigh. “I don’t feel left out at all.”
“Left out? You talk to him three times a day with all the house stuff.”
“Nah, I mostly talk to Ava,” Roni said, dropping the fake mad act she had going on. “He’s not big on design, your boyfriend. Has no idea what the difference is between sage and olive green.”
Hope felt the stupid smile spreading on her face before Libby said, “Look at that smile!”
She shrugged, still unable to wipe it off. “It just feels strange—boyfriend. I feel nineteen again. I haven’t been in love in ages, and I don’t think I’ve ever been this in love, either.”
“So, what did the girls have to say? They probably suspected, seeing him around a lot these past few weeks.”
“They see him. Just not early in the morning. We spend some afternoons and evenings together and told them Jordan was my very good friend, and that we love each other, and that we’re spending time together.”
“And …?” Roni prompted. “You probably already told this story to your future sister-in-law here, so now tell me, too.”
Hope chuckled at Roni’s sarcasm. “Hannah said, ‘Mom, that’s what Dad said about Jenna, and they got married. We’re kids, not stupid. He’s your boyfriend. But that’s okay because we really like him.’ And Naomi said, ‘And he’s very tall,’ which I think means she approves of him.”
“And Eric?” Roni asked.
She huffed a loud breath. “I think I learned a new way to handle him. I name-dropped a lot—it always makes an impression on him. Told him the name of the senator that Jordan works with, and that he’s sort of a celebrity in D.C., and that’s why the media was keen to invent things about him. As a cherry on top, I added that he’s the most famous person to come out of Riviera View.”
“Oh, smart! That had to sting Eric.” Roni tilted her ouzo shot toward Hope then took a sip. She scrunched her nose. “It hasn’t grown on me yet.”
“And now he’ll be more careful and respectful with you because, to him, having this connection to big names means that you’re so much better than he assumed. What an idiot!” Libby hissed.
“Now he really wants to meet Jordan and not just to inspect him for the girls. Lucile knows, too, of course. I told her right after Eric so he wouldn’t get to tell her first. With her living here, I had to. I also kinda hinted that it’d save them a lot of travel money and time if they moved to Nevada.”
“Hope!” Libby exclaimed.
Hope laughed. “I’m done giving a”—she lowered her voice—“fuck.”
“It’s about time,” Roni said.
