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“She said he’s younger than me, so that’s promising.” I squeeze Reagan’s hand. “Thank you for caring so much about her. I can’t tell you how incredible you all have been for her, especially you. Giving her that job when you did changed her life for the better.”
She shrugs like it’s no big deal. “I gave her the opportunity. It was up to her what she did with it.”
I can’t help but feel a similarity to what I’m doing with Beckett. He’s giving me the opportunity. It’s up to me what I do with it.
She continues. “She’s the one that worked her ass off and hit it out of the park. I hope you realize howgood she is at what she does. She might have Declan’s temper, but she clearly has your creativity.”
I let out a laugh. “She definitely has his temper.” Declan has a terrible temper and Jade is no better. “Did your dad have that temper?” Reagan’s father and Declan were brothers. He passed unexpectedly about ten years ago. I never met him, but he’s most definitely revered in this family.
“He didn’t take anyone’s shit and got into a few fights here and there, but he didn’t outwardly growl as much as Declan. He was like a significantly more evolved version of Declan.”
We both laugh at that.
Speak of the devil, Declan walks in with Melissa and Jade behind him. Jade lives near them in the city. I suppose it’s easier for her to travel out to the suburbs in their car.
She immediately makes her way to me when she sees me. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine. Stop worrying. I’m the mother. I’m supposed to worry about you. Not the other way around.”
“Are you sure?”
I was a mess every time a man left me while Jade was little. She took care of me countless nights while I cried myself to sleep. She probably thinks I’m doing the same now, but I’m not. Unlike the other breakups, this one was my doing.
“I swear. I’m great. I’m happy to be home, I’m painting consistently again, and I have a few meetings in the pipeline with art collectors.”
“That’s great. How did that happen?”
“A purchaser from the gallery is setting them up.” I suppose that’s the truth.
Reagan grimaces and then grabs Jade’s hand and places it on her stomach. “Can you feel it?”
Jade feels for a moment before saying, “Holy shit. It’s like the movieAlien. That baby is really moving.”
Reagan looks at me. “Do you want to feel it too?”
“Do you mind?”
“Not at all.”
I place my hand on her stomach and can feel the baby kicking right away. Tears fill my eyes.
Jade notices right away. “Mom, you can still have another baby. You’re young enough. Women have babies at your age all the time.”
I shake my head. “I think grandkids are about it for me.”
She scoffs. “I hope you have a secret child somewhere cause I’m never having kids.”
“Oh stop it. You’ll change your tune.” I hope.
I look around as the adults attempt to corral all the kids into the giant playroom Darian and Jackson have in their house. There are so many kids. It’s nice.
Darian encourages us all to sit. I look around and don’t see Beth. I turn to Cassandra. She is much older than Trevor. She’s Darian’s longtime best friend. I know there was a whole lot of drama when they first got together, but it seems to be in the past. I only know because Jade mentioned it once.
“Where’s your sister, Cassandra? Isn’t she normally here?”
She’s been here every time I’ve come, and I was even at her house a few months ago when she hosted a family dinner.
Cassandra practically winces. “She’s nursing a broken heart. I have Luke with us. He’s in the playroom. Shewasn’t up for getting out of bed. Hopefully she’ll snap out of it soon.”
