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“So how is everything?” I ask Tess after she stands from giving Jack a hug from his place in the backseat of the car.
“Good.” She smiles, closing Jackson’s door.
We weren’t planning to stay so I didn’t bother getting him out of his booster seat, but then Tess came running downstairs seconds after Ant disappeared inside Sebastian’s building. Now that she’s right in front of me, I feel the sudden need to know everything that’s happened over the last couple of days.
“Just good?” I question, crossing my arms in front of my chest as I rest my back against the driver’s side door.
“Really good.” A wide smile breaks across her face. “I just… I don’t know how I did it,” she admits, letting out a slow breath as if to ground herself. “I don’t know how I lived without that man for so long. He’s just…” She fans herself, looking happier than I think I’ve ever seen her.
“That good, huh?” I laugh at how flustered my best friend looks right now.
“You have no idea.” She practically bounces in place.
“So I take it you’re moving here?” I ask, not trying to disguise the hope in my voice.
I’d give anything to have Tess within driving distance from me again. I’ve missed having her and Courtney around more than I could ever fully explain. Just the thought is more settling than I ever realized it would be.
“We haven’t nailed down the specifics, but it’s looking that way, yes.”
My arms instantly reach out to pull her into a hug, squeezing her so tight it’s a wonder either of us are able to breathe.
“I’m so happy for you,” I say into her hair, before finally releasing her and taking a small step back. “You two have been through so much and to see you finally find your way back to each other is so incredible.”
“It’s strange. I had given up hope that this day would ever come. But I think I always knew that eventually it would come to this. Even when I tried hiding it, denying it, fighting it—I knew that my heart would always be with Sebastian.”
“I’m just glad you realized it before things went too far with Bennett,” I say, still feeling a little bad for the guy whose heart Tess broke in the process of following her own heart.
“Me too.” She grins at Jack who slaps the window to get her attention. “So what’s up with you and Ant?” she asks, her eyes glued on my son as she makes silly faces at him through the glass.
“What do you mean?” I try not to sound guilty, though I’m not entirely sure what I am or am not guilty of.
“He stayed with you the last couple of nights?” she questions, turning her attention back to me.
“Yeah.” I shrug like it’s nothing. “We had dinner, played catch up. He’s still the same Ant,” I say, glancing back at Jack. “He filled in for Aunt Tess at the park.”
“Oh crap, I totally forgot. I’m so sorry,” she immediately starts apologizing.
“Don’t be,” I interrupt. “You had other things on your mind. And according to Jack, Ant is the best swing pusher of all time.” I chuckle at the memory.
I meet Tess’ gaze just quick enough to see the curious look that passes across her features.
“It’s nice to have friends around again,” I quickly add, hoping that satisfies her enough that she doesn’t question it further.
I think Tess knows me well enough to know that I would never cross the friendship line with someone who dated Courtney, even though I’ve been more than tempted to do just that for two days now. Especially last night when we fell asleep snuggled on the couch, and his blue gray eyes were the first thing I saw this morning looking down at me as I woke.
The nervous flutter in my stomach has yet to go away since then.
“It is, isn’t it?” She smiles at me, thankfully choosing to let it go. “You and me, Sebastian and Ant. Hell, all we need is Court and the whole gang is practically back together.”
“Weird how we all ended up all the way out here together,” I agree. Laughing lightly when Jack once again starts hitting the back window. “I should probably get him out of here. He gets super restless if he has to sit in one place for too long.” I shake my head at my son.
“Okay, well I’m gonna make up for my missed park date. I promise. Maybe next week. I’ve got so much to figure out in the meantime.”
“You just let me know. No rush. If you’re moving out here, we will have plenty of time for park dates.”
“I can’t wait.” Her ear to ear smile is back, and I didn’t realize until now that every smile I’ve seen over the last five years has paled in comparison to the one currently gracing her pretty face.
I guess it just goes to show what Sebastian Baxter does to Tess. He’s always had this spell over her. Good to see some things never change.
