AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I did. I mean, I didn’t know he would ever feel the same. But yes, I knew he was someone who could change everything. And, well...” She gestures around the room at nothing in particular. “I think it’s safe to say he did.”
“How did you know? I mean, that he felt it too?”
“I didn’t. Not until he came right out and told me. I mean, sure, I suspected, but you can never truly know how a person feels until they come right out and say it. Why? Are you worried she doesn’t like you back?”
“Am I that transparent?” I blow out a slow breath, glancing down at my niece, who is now fast asleep in my arms.
“Remi, I don’t think it’s humanly possible not to like you. Honestly, you are the most likable person on the freaking planet. I can’t say I’ve ever met a single person who doesn’t think you’re the best. Not to mention, you’ve never had a single issue picking up women. If you wanted her, she was yours.”
“That’s not a hundred percent true.”
A brief moment of understanding passes over her features.
Because there isoneperson I wanted, someone I was so sure I would spend my life with, and she’s currently sitting right in front of me. So I guess we can all see how that turned out. Even knowing that things landed exactly where they were meant to, it doesn’t change the fact that the only time I’ve truly offered my heart to another person, she chose someone else instead.
“That’s different, and you know it.” Pen shifts in her seat.
I don’t know how different it really was, if we’re being honest. Of course, I don’t say any of this to her. She always assumed my playboy tendencies were just that. She never once considered the reason why I only ever had sexual relationships with women and avoided any kind of emotional connection. It’s because all those years, I truly believed I had already metthe oneand was just bidding my time until she realized it too.
Needless to say, things took a turn I never saw coming. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy as hell for her and my brother, and I honestly wouldn’t want it any other way. But that wasn’t always the case.
Eventually, I did find peace with it all, and since then I’ve tried. I’ve tried to open myself up more and get to know people, but I’ve yet to meet anyone worth taking a risk on... Until Kaia, that is.
Not that I’m saying she’s it for me or anything. It’s way too early to know what might come of this. But unlike all the others who came before her, I actually want to stick around long enough to find out.
“Relationships are scary,” Aspen continues after a moment. “Brand-new relationships areterrifyingbecause you never really know the other person’s true intent. It’s okay to feel unsure.”
“I guess.”
“I know it’s not easy for you to be emotionally vulnerable, hiding behind your witty charm and dirty mouth. But even if things don’t turn out the way you want, at least you can say you were brave enough to take the chance.” She glances at her daughter. “She’s asleep, isn’t she?”
I smile. “I told you, she just needed Rem-Rem.”
“You know what, at this point, I’m just glad she’s sleeping.” She relaxes back onto the couch with a slow exhale.
“You look like you could use a nap yourself,” I point out, just now noticing how exhausted she seems. Not that it’s uncommon for her to look tired—she does have two small children—but today she looks even more so.
“I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but I just can’t seem to get enough sleep. Even when I do sleep, it never feels like it’s enough.”
“Tell that brother of mine he needs to get up with Gracie from time to time.”
“He does. Or at least, he tries. It’s hard because I’m breastfeeding. Even if he gives her a bottle, I still wake up needing to pump. I do usually nap the days he’s home, and your mom comes over every now and again to let me get some rest. I try not to complain too much, though, because I know I’m going to miss these days when they’re gone.” She smiles at the sleeping baby in my arms.
“Well, that’s going to be a while. The way Sutton talks, you’re going to have at least one more.”
“He wants more. I’m not sure I do yet. Not because I don’t love being a mom. I do. It’s the absolute best thing I’ve ever done. But it’s a lot of work, and the more you have, the harder it is. I think two is the perfect number. One boy. One girl. Done.”
“I give it a year,” I tell her bluntly.
“A year?” She gapes at me.
“Before you’re pregnant again.”
“Not a chance.”
“Need I remind you, you said that after Rand was born and he was no more than crawling when you and Sutton decided you wanted another.”
“That was different. He was our first. I knew long before he was born that I wanted at least two.”
