Page 50 of Tangled Emotions

“So what’d you tell him?”

I snarled. “That he wasn’t ready for him.”

“Oh Edie.” She wrinkled her nose. “What’s gonna happen when he finds out he has two half-brothers?”

I drained my glass and pushed it back to her. “Can I handle one crisis at a time?”

“Sure.” She nodded and refilled my drink. “Darts?”

“Yes.” I felt my eyes grow wide. “I can pretend the board is Greg’s head.”

We laughed and went across the pub to take our places. The drinks flowed, we laughed and relaxed and enjoyed the time together.

When Ronnie rolled into town, it was just after her mom passed. Her dad had passed away five years prior and caring for her chronically ill mama took a toll on her.

She wanted a new place to start over and landed here.

It was also the day I found out I was pregnant.

She told me I looked like I needed a friend and one look at her wrecked state; I told her so did she.

Ronnie rented the apartment attached to the laundry for the last eight years until Paul told her she was moving in with him.

And if I said I wasn’t jealous, I’d be lying.

Sure, my life was full. The diner. My son. Everyday life.

But the biggest thing missing was having someone to share it all with. Someone to come home to after a long day. You cook for each other, lean on each other, and share laughs.

My parents had a stellar relationship. All my friends from school found their someone. Vivian had Ethan. Miranda had Henry. Jolynn had Richard. Elena …

Okay, maybe not all of them. Lena was in the middle of a messy divorce.

I looked into my empty glass. “Barkeep!”

Ronnie laughed. “C’mon, let get another round.”

We made our way up to the bar, and Paul’s eyes narrowed. “Are you ladies, drunk?”

“Not yet.” Ronnie winked. “We’re working on it.”

My oldest brother took a seat beside me at the bar. “Nah, Edie’s not trashed yet.”

“Who let you out of the kitchen?” I snorted with laughter.

He tilted his head. “Maybe it’s time to slow your roll.”

“Pfft.” I picked up my fresh drink. “It’s my night ow-tah.”

Tom chuckled and handed Big E an unlabeled bottle. “Give it a try.”

“Are you two conspury … conspirit … con … fuck it. In cahoots?”

“Sit down, Edie, before you hurt yourself.” Big E laughed and tilted the bottle back. “Yeah, baby.” He nodded. “I love the hint of caramel.”

Big E, Tom, and Paul joined us, and we did a shot together, toasting to good health.

A basket of rolls appeared in front of me, and I picked at one while the five of us talked about random bullshit in life. And the best part for me was seeing my brother relax and have fun with his boyfriend.

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