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“Sure. We’re here to celebrate your brother’s upcoming wedding. Look over at them. Do you really think they haven’t had sex?”
Tiffany couldn’t believe she was hearing what she was hearing. “You mean you’re okay with that? You’ve always been so… I don’t know. So… preaching abstinence until you marry.”
“That’s not entirely true. I was preaching abstinence until you find your soul mate. There’s a difference.”
“You never once used the words ‘soul mate’ with me, Mom. I’m pretty sure I’d remember that.”
“Oh, well, my bad. That’s what I meant.”
“Really? And you think Paige is Matteo’s soul mate?”
Her mother snorted a laugh. “No, and like Angelina, I really am worried about your brother.”
The women watched Lisa open her next gift in silence before Tiffany asked, “So you’re okay knowing I’m no longer a virgin?”
Without missing a beat her mom grinned. “Of course, as long as he treats you right and you love him. You do love him, don’t you?”
Tiff’s heart pounded. “I love him so much it scares me. I know he loves me, but what if he doesn’t love me enough?”
Isabella finally turned to look into her eyes. “I saw how he looks at you. He loves you more than enough. I’m happy for you. You finally found your special one.”
Tiffany wanted to believe it was true, but she had to remain cautious. “Mom, we’ve only known each other six weeks. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”
Her mother looked conflicted. She opened and then closed her mouth several times before finally taking Tiffany’s hands in her own. “I’m going to tell you something I’ve never told your brothers and sisters, but I think you need to know.” A look of love crossed over her face. “I knew the minute I met your father that I was going to marry him.”
“I know, I know. You met at a party, and he was brave enough to come ask you to dance even though you were surrounded by all of your friends. You were impressed with his bravery, and you started dating him right away.”
“Yes. All of that is true. What I never told you kids is that we did more than date right away.”
Tiffany had never seen her mother look so mischievous before. “Ew. Mom! What are you saying? You had premarital sex with Daddy?”
“Is it so hard to believe? He was so handsome, and he swept me off my feet. I knew I was going to marry him, so it really didn’t feel like I was doing anything wrong.”
“I can’t believe this! All these years you’ve been making me feel so guilty for even thinking about sex before I got married.”
“Honey, I just wanted you to stay safe, and to keep looking until you found someone special. Now that you have, I don’t blame you one bit for… well, you know. Wow, the way Lukus was looking at you from across the room… Let’s just say I hope to be sitting here atyourbridal shower very soon. I’d like to at least have it before it’s time for your baby shower.”
“Mom! You’re freaking me out,” Tiff said.
“Don’t be freaked out. I’m just ready for more grandchildren. All of the kids are getting older. It’s time for you, Liam, Matty, and Aiden to settle down and give me my next wave of grandbabies.”
“I’ll be sure to let Lukus know. He’ll want to get right on that.”
* * *
Lukus
Lukus collapsed to sit at the end of the long pier jutting out into Lake Michigan. Sheer luck had allowed him to avoid an inevitable showdown with Aiden a few hours earlier. His phone had rung with an incoming call from Z just after the women had left for the bridal shower. He’d stepped outside to take the call, walking far enough away from the grand home to escape the storm he knew was brewing—and would break when Aiden shared his knowledge with the rest of the men.
He pushed down the niggling feeling of guilt of having taken a long hike through the hilly forest surrounding the O’Sullivan property. He was sure Aiden would think him a coward for avoiding their confrontation, but Lukus knew that that was preferable to throwing punches, which was sure to happen had he stayed behind. He had pushed himself hard on his walk. The excursion had calmed him down.
He had considered hiding in the forest until he knew the women were back, but he suspected it was better to get the ugliness out in the open before Tiffany returned. At least that way, she wouldn’t have to witness the men she loved fighting firsthand. He was grateful for the privacy near the water, knowing it was just a matter of time before the other men discovered him.
If Aiden thinks he’s going to push me out of her life, he has another thing coming.
The swelling waves of the lake lapped against the pier, helping Lukus relax in a way he found hard to do in the city. With the peace came long-forgotten memories of childhood visits to his grandparents’ waterfront home as a kid. He had vibrant flashbacks of boating and fishing with his grandfather and cousins growing up.
His recollections shifted to his last visit with his grandfather. It was at his grandma’s funeral. Lukus had never seen his grandfather cry before that day. He remembered feeling helpless and hating it. Even now, almost twenty years later, he could still remember his grandfather’s shocking advice while they’d stood at the casket together almost word for word. At the time, Lukus had thought it was just the elder man’s grief talking, but having fallen in love with Tiff, he now understood the truth in his grandfather’s words for the first time.
