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“Be on time,” I warn in a soft tone, trying to be stern, but it’s not working.
“You good?” Evan asks me as Paige disappears inside the house, a hint of concern in his tone.
“Yeah. I’m fine.” I shrug.
“Paige is a good person. I think she’ll work out,” he says, trying to reassure me. “I remember once, in school, we had a group science project to finish, and I had no idea what I was doing. She took charge and helped our group get it done, and we ended up having a lot of fun doing it. She’s smart, too.”
“She actually did great today. The place already looks so much better,” I reluctantly admit.
“Did you come for dinner? I think Sasha is wrapping things up, but she always has leftovers,” Evan says with a deep sigh, raking his fingers through his hair.
“I might pop in. I just came by to grab Theo. Hey, are you okay? How much longer until the babies arrive?” I ask him.
Evan looks exhausted and stressed out. “Any day now, man.”
“You nervous?”
“Hell yeah, I’m nervous.” He laughs. “We’re havingtwobabies. One would be enough to make me nervous, but two puts me in full-on panic mode.”
“You’re going to be a great dad, Evan,” I say softly.
He nods. “Thanks, man. This was my dream. Coming back here to run the inn and having my own family. I’m doing it.”
“Let me know when Beth goes into labor. I’ll come stay and help out here so you don’t have to worry about anything.”
His eyes soften. “You’d do that?”
“Of course I would.” I nod. “You have done so much for me, letting me stay here and welcoming me into your family. I’ll help out in any way that I can.”
“I would be so grateful for that. One less thing I’ll need to worry about.”
“No, problem. I’m going to take off. Theo!” I call.
“See you, man.”
I look up at the inn and see Paige on the porch. “I hate you,” she mouths with a hint of a grin.
“I hate you more,” I mouth back, trying to keep a straight face.
Game on, Paige. Game on.
When I get to my Jeep, I hold open the door for Theo. As I drive home, I think about what pranks she could possibly pull on me. There’s no telling what she’s got up her sleeve, especially if she has Allie, Beth, and Mellie in her corner.
I pull into my new driveway and look up at the house that still feels foreign. “It doesn’t feel like home yet, does it?” I sigh and turn to Theo, who whines but doesn’t seem anxious to get out of the Jeep. “I know. We need to make it our home. Let’s go, buddy.”
We head inside, and the loneliness hits me like a punch to the gut. It still smells like new construction and fresh paint. Not cozy like the inn. I miss the inn. I grab myself a beer and feed Theo. Then we head out to my back porch, the one place I do feel at home. I sit with Theo, scratching his head.
I think of Paige taking my place, and I hate this jealous feeling of being left out. I miss sitting by the fire pit and drinking beer with Ty, Logan, and Evan while we watch the dogs and kids play. I want to dislike her, but she makes it hard. She’s beautiful. I can’t help but be attracted to her, despite all the things she’s done to drive me crazy.
While I may be lonely in the new place, I know there’s a lot to be grateful for. I have a thriving new office that makes me happy. I finally have some help to get organized while I’m getting everything going. And I finally don’t have to answer to anyone in my family. Life is getting better and better every single day.
I finally look at my messages, and there are six from my mother.
Did you get your brother and Olivia’s invitation?
Are you hosting his bachelor party?
Are you even coming to the wedding?
