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“But she’s also a lot of what she used to be. She’s sassy and intelligent. She’s got her own business and it’s flourishing. That’s sexy as hell. She’s more beautiful than the day I first laid eyes on her.”
“Trust me, we all are. High school is good to no one.”
“And her wit still matches mine. That was the part I loved about her the most, and it’s still there, Brandon. Maybe some small things have changed, but the big things? The things that drew me to her all those years ago? They’re still there. My Ana-bear is still there.”
“Don’t tell me you called her that. Please don’t call her that.”
“The hell is it your problem for?”
“You’re a grown-ass man with his own business. She’s a grown-ass woman with her own business. Call her honey, or princess. Not Ana-bear.”
“Like you should be giving advice on relationships.”
“I’m not giving relationship advice. I’m giving ‘don’t look like an idiot’ advice. I’m a professional in that realm.”
“You sure about that?” I asked, grinning.
“The point is, it’s obvious you still have a lot of feelings for her, despite the fact that I thought you got over her years ago. It sounds like you’re still in love. But I can almost guarantee you that after what happened with you two, she isn’t still in love. I don’t want to see you get hurt. You calling me at two and three in the morning crying? It’s not happening again. You were the worst I’d ever seen you during your freshman year of college. You almost fucking flunked out. Don’t do that to yourself again.”
“I am still in love with her,” I said. “No doubt about it.”
“Then tread lightly. Don’t rush it. And for fuck’s sake, find a new pet name.”
He was right. Not about the pet name, but about everything else. I needed to tread lightly, especially since Ana didn’t me she loved me back that night. Nor did she bring it up in conversation over lunch a couple days ago. It bothered me that she hadn’t said it or mentioned it. Was she acting like it didn’t happen? Was there a possibility she hadn’t heard me?
No. She’d heard me. Her eyes had widened before I’d kissed her.
Oh, shit. Had she not brought it up because she didn’t want me to say it?
“You’re panicking.”
“I’m not panicking,” I said.
“I know when you’re panicking. You’re my best friend. You’ve got panic written all over your face.”
“I do not!”
“Stop it.”
“Stop mentioning it and I will.”
“Why are you panicking?”
“Why is it any of your business?”
“Because you’re my best friend and I care about you.”
“Then drop it.”
Fuck. My mind was rolling a million miles a second. I twirled my water on top of the table as our food was set in front of us. I picked around and took a few bites, but I had to get a pretty big to-go box in order to take it with me. I shook Brandon’s hand and told him to call me once his father got him the official paperwork to sign over the record label to him. Then I headed back to the office.
I had a hell of a lot to think about and even more phone calls to make.
Ana
“Brody! Don’t stand too close to the water, sweetheart. Okay?”
“Yes, Mom. I promise.”
“And make sure you wear your life vest. Dad?”
“What?”
“Don’t let him take off his life vest,” I said.
“I promise he’s in good hands,” he said, chuckling.
“Oh, and Brody, take a snack with you. You always get hungry just before lunch, and I don’t want Papa dealing with your hungry nature.”
“I ate a big breakfast,” he said.
“Take a snack with you, keep your life vest on, and keep yourself safe near the water.”
“Yes, Mom.”
“Oh, and one more thing—”
“Ana.”
“Yes, Dad?”
“He’s in good hands.”
I looked over at my father and watched him put his arm around Brody. He was taking his grandson fishing for the first time, and Brody was excited. I was worried. Brody had never been a strong swimmer, and one too many hiccups in the bathtub had made him weary of swimming lessons and learning tips to keep him safe near the water. So, the idea of him being in a boat surrounded by it made me paranoid.
“Just make sure he’s safe, okay? Brody isn’t the best swimmer,” I said.
“Trust me. We’ll be fine. I’ve got his life vest, and the two of us will be coming home with dinner for us all to eat tonight,” my father said.
“If Papa lets me go swimming, can he help me?” my son asked.
“You want to go swimming? I can come with you guys,” I said.
“No. I want Papa to do it.”
“Papa’s the best after all,” my father said, grinning.
I rolled my eyes before a grin slid across my cheeks.
“If Papa wants to take you swimming for a little bit, then yes. But don’t you dare take that life vest off. Do you hear me?” I asked.
