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“To Joe.” Cameron polished off his whiskey sour, and Rebecca and her husband toasted their late friend and then finished their drinks as well.
Once everyone had cleared out, Addi let out a wistful sigh. After spending a few hours reminiscing about Joe and hearing how each of the couples met, she decided that practicality was overrated.
If she’d stuck with her plan to “Get Over Him” she never would have experienced the wonderful moments they’d had together this weekend. Some of the best of her life. Because she’d followed Bran over to the light side, her afternoon had been filled with surprises. Including an evening of swapping stories about Joe, which had been cathartic and so very needed.
In a way, Joe’s death had brought her and Brannon together.
Bran ordered another round and when two full wineglasses were delivered, they settled into a comfortable silence. Remembering the life Joe left unlived added weight to the room.
“You know, if Joe really did think of me as the love of his life, that’s sad.”
“Why? Did you want to fulfill his dream?” Bran asked.
“No.”She gave him a playful poke to the ribs. “The opposite. I would have had to let him down easy. I might’ve broken his heart. He was my friend. I never wanted more than that.” Her own heart felt broken admitting that aloud.
“You did love him. As a friend. What if that was enough for him?”
“Hmm. Love’s tricky.”
“The trickiest,” he agreed.
“My parents love me, but their love has always felt like an exchange. Like if I behaved and did what they asked, I could trade my good behavior for some of that love. I longed for the unconditional kind. The kind of love your family has so much of it’s bursting at the seams.”
“I’ve met your parents a few times now. They love you. I can tell they want what’s best for you even if they have a harsh way of showing it. Their scheming is born of worry.”
“I never thought of it that way.” She’d only felt criticized or punished. “I guess I was too busy trying to hustle. Trying to make something of myself—trying to prove them wrong. Have you ever felt like you don’t measure up?” She wanted to eat those words as soon as she’d said them. Of course he had. “You must’ve. With your dad. With Royce.”
He held her hand, their elbows resting on the bar top between their drinks. “I know it’s hard to believe because of my daunting physique, but I am only human.”
She rolled her eyes, though she had to agree with the daunting part.
“Like you, I put a lot of pressure on myself,” he said, serious now. “I felt like I needed to win. Royce didn’t do anything wrong accepting CEO. Taylor didn’t do anything wrong by falling in love with him. Listen, I can’t argue with you about my family. They’re incredible. Gia, Royce and I, we stick together. We have each other’s backs. I’ve always felt loved and know that no matter how many times I screw up they’ll still love me.”
“You are now witnessing the jealousy of an only child.” She pointed to herself but was only half kidding.
“My family adores you, too, you know. I’ve told them again and again how lucky I am to have you. You’re a crucial part of ThomKnox. You want a family to appreciate you? You don’t want to be alone anymore? Addi.” He kissed her knuckles. “You’re not alone.”
Hearing that healed some hidden part of her. A wound she didn’t know was there. She’d admitted she wanted family, but had never truly accepted that she’d had one all along. “Thanks for saying that.”
“I mean it.” He kissed her knuckles again before releasing her hand and then lifted his wine glass. “To family.”
She raised her glass and clinked his, feeling very not alone for the first time in a long time. “To family.”
