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“No. I missed you.”
“I missed you, too.”
“Take me to bed.”
I sighed, wanting nothing more than that, but knowing we’d face a full-scale, embarrassing invasion if we followed our urges.
“Slight change of plans,” I announced, my annoyance clear.
“Oh…” She tried to step back, but my arms tightened.
“Not that big of change, starfish. You’re still staying with me. We just need to make an appearance first. Somehow, my mom found out we’re back together—which she’s beyond thrilled about since she considers you a daughter already. And she sent down the order from on high that we have to go to family dinner tonight.”
Worry lines appeared between Breezy’s brows. “Maybe, don’t tell her about Tallahassee yet. She won’t be so thrilled I’m taking you from here.”
Maybe, my mom wouldn’t be too on board with thefollow Breezy to college in Floridaplan, but I didn’t care. What hit me was that my girl had internalized that yes, I would be following her when she left for college there. I wondered if she’d figured out I planned for us to live together, too.
“It’s a four and a half hour drive from there to here. We can still come home for Sunday dinners once a week if we’re really motivated to.” I winked. “I’ve been working on the plan, so we won’t get a bunch of flack.”
“She doesn’t want her baby boy moving away.”
Breezy wasn’t wrong. I was the youngest of five. After losing my sister, Sariah, for so many years, after she’d been kidnapped as a toddler, Mom held all her chicks close. Even now that Sariah had miraculously rejoined the family, that hold hadn’t let up. Of course, my mom had always been extra protective of me since I was the youngest and then had the type one diabetes diagnosis that had terrified everyone when it had come on.
“Well, that day always comes, right? So you ready for this?”
Breezy shrugged, but the worry shone clear in her eyes. She feared they’d be angry with her over what had happened. I wasn’t sure why. She knew they hadn’t acted upset with her when she’d called from the hospital. Had my mom actually been in town and not across state at a craft show, she would have been at the ER with Breezy.
“They’re not mad at you for anything,” I told her as we left and I locked the door behind us. “Six months ago, when…things happened, they figured it was my fault, that I’d done something.” I chuckled ruefully. “How’s that for family support? You were the poor victim and I was the bad guy.”
“I’m sure that’s not how it went,” she said, shaking her head. “They adore you.”
“I wouldn’t go that far.” I grinned as we walked to the car. I did have a pretty awesome family. Breezy and I talked about our day for the short drive over to my parents’ place on the interior side of Sizzle Beach.
“According to Carla, everyone knows we’ve been dating again,” Breezy told me, fiddling with my fingers as we held hands on the console between us. Her other hand skimmed along my forearm and traced the tattoo on the inside near the crook of my elbow. I knew she was looking at the color. The last couple days it was back to blue most of the time.
The near-drowning had been a wake-up call. How could I fight for Breezy if I couldn’t even take care of myself? I had to watch my health if I wanted to be there for her long term.
“I’m good,” I told her. “I’ll check right before we eat, too, okay?”
“Okay.”
I pulled into the circular driveway, noting all my siblings’ cars were already there—and one unfamiliar one I assumed was Tarek’s. He was Sariah’s new husband, but I didn’t know his car. I wondered if Breezy did since she worked with him. Probably not. It wasn’t as if they brought their vehicles onto the beach with them.
“Looks like the gang’s all here,” I said, the first tendrils of trepidation settling in. This had to go well. Breezy had been part of this family for so many years, but if they were all standoffish with her after our six months apart, it could ruin everything.
My mom came running over as soon as we entered the house. She completely ignored me, going straight for Breezy.
“Young lady, don’t you ever stay away like that again!” she exclaimed, hugging my girl tight. “We missed you! Come on!” She grabbed Breezy’s hand and dragged her toward the back of the house where everyone was probably gathered on the big back patio, near the outdoor kitchen my parents had installed for open-air entertaining. “You need to meet Sariah and Tarek.”
“Hi, Ma,” I called when she walked away without even acknowledging me.
“Oh. You’re here?” she teased. “I guess you should come on, too.”
Shaking my head, I followed. “She knows Tarek. They work together.”
“That’s right. Well, now that he’s family, too, you’ll get to know him better, I guess. Your brother’s here, also, Bree. Did you two bring your suits? Pool’s open, of course.”
“We’re just doing dinner, Ma,” I said, coming up beside Breezy and slinging my arm around her. I pulled her into my side. “We had some plans tonight.”
