Page 29 of Come Back to Me

Standing up, I turn to him and ask, “How about a shoulder ride?”

“Awesome!” Tommy answers. I pretend I’m going to climb atop his shoulders, but he stops me. “Uncle Jack, silly, you’re too big! I have to ride on yours.”

I scratch my head and squint my eyes at him. “Are you sure? I think I’ll fit.”

Tommy giggles and it’s adorable. “No, I can’t carry you.”

“Okay then. Climb on up.” I bend down so he can get on and we head back toward where Annie and Shayna are sitting.

He giggles on the way when I wiggle and pretend I’m going to fall.

Gracie and Bean walk with us, one on either side of my legs. When we get near Annie and Shayna, I pull Tommy from my shoulders, and I plop down into the seat next to Annie.

Tommy walks up to her and taps her on the arm. “Is that your dog?” he asks, pointing at Bean.

She smiles. “Yes, he’s my dog. I was watching you give him belly rubs. I think he likes you a lot.”

He beams up at her. “I like him, too. But why does he have a weird name? My mom makes me eat beans.”

Annie smirks at the question and looks like she’s trying not to laugh at the serious look on his face.

“Well, Bean is his middle name. His full name is Cocoa Bean.”

He giggles. “That’s more weirder.”

Bean licks Tommy’s face, and he laughs even more, looking so darn cute.

“Bean is a chocolate lab, and chocolate is made from cocoa beans, so I named?—”

“He’s made of chocolate?” Tommy interrupts, wide eyed.

Annie smiles, looks at him with all seriousness and says, “Yes. He’s made of chocolate and that’s why he’s so sweet.”

Shayna and I are trying to hold in our laughs as she finishes, in a whisper, “But don’t tell anyone else. It’s our secret!”

“I promise I won’t, Annie. Pinky promise.” He sits down next to Bean and pets him again.

We all sit and enjoy the relaxation for a few minutes before Shayna stands and tells Tommy it’s time to get washed up before eating.

He kisses Bean and Gracie on their heads before following his mom into the house.

ANNIE

Jack and I sit next to Ben and for the meal. It’s really fun watching Jack and Ben talking and all their similar mannerisms. Jack holds my hand under the table, rubbing small circles on my palm with his thumb.

I find it extremely relaxing and almost… sensual. I’m not even sure if he knows he’s doing it. I get lost in a rabbit hole of trying to decide if this is always a sensual movement or if it’s just because Jack is the one touching me. I don’t remember ever feeling like this with Jason, or anyone else, for that matter.

I’m pulled from my musings by a loud, off-tune rendition of “Happy Birthday,” and look up to see Rose heading toward us with John behind her, carrying a large sheet cake. I’m trying to figure out whose birthday it is when the family getsto the line, “Happy birthday, Ben and Jack. Happy birthday to you!”

Oh. My. God.Today is Jack’s birthday, and he didn’t tell me? I’m going to kill him when we leave here.

I look at him incredulously and he smiles a half smile, popping out that dimple, and it makes it so hard to stay mad at him.

“Sorry,” he whispers in my ear. “I asked them to not make a big deal of it.”

“Gather round, everyone. My babies turn thirty today.” Rose beams at her two sons. She has to stand on her tiptoes—and they have to bend down—so she can reach their six-foot two-inch heights and give them each a kiss on their cheeks.

Jack and Ben blow out the candles together and their sisters drag them to two chairs set up at the front of the large deck. The women put party hats on Ben and Jack, and start piling presents around each of them. Seeing how uncomfortable Jack is with the attention, Ialmostfeel bad for him for a second.

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