I swallow hard, and it just makes me realize how much I’ve missed by not coming home. I was stubborn and selfish and allowed my ego to keep me from the best years that I could’ve had here.
Sadie clears her throat and stands. “I’m going to grab my pizza and head home. Kylie, call me when you get home, okay?”
I chuckle at her tone toward her sister. “We’ll eat and then drop you back at your car. Liam has homework that he has to do. I’m not getting in trouble with your teacher.”
“Oh, Dad, Mr. Love will let it slide.”
“Mr. Love let’s everything slide,” Sadie sneers, but her tone doesn’t match the longing in her eyes.
“He’s cool and so fun, and did you know he went to school with my dad and Kylie?”
Sadie smiles. “I did know that because I went to school with them too.”
Liam‘s eyes get wide. “You did?”
I remind him, “Liam, they're sisters, of course they went to school together.”
“You’re her sister?” We all laugh as Liam puts the family tree together. The waitress brings our pizza and Sadie takes her leave.
I lean over the table, dropping my voice. “I didn’t imagine the way her tone changed when she asked about Danny, did I?”
Kylie smiles. “She still likes him even if she swears she hates him.”
“That's very clear. And he’s very attracted to her, that’s for sure.”
Kylie dishes out slices on our plates. “Maybe he can loosen her up a bit after all. Her uptight attitude could use a break.”
“And Danny would definitely be the one to do it. Sort of like somebody else I know.”
She puts her hand over her chest and leans back. It draws my attention to her amazing breasts.
“Mr. Byrne, I hope you’re not accusing me of being impulsive?”
“No, I would never do that, Miss Johnson. Everyone gets ice cream at eleven in the morning and then has lunch afterward.”
Chapter13
Kylie
I’m still flying high from my lunch date with the Byrne boys. Spending the day with Matt and Liam was everything I didn’t realize I needed until I was with them. Because it's not just about being with Matt, Liam is the sweetest and funniest little boy. He reminds me of a young Matt, and it's amazing to see their relationship.
Matt told me a little about his ex-wife and how she hasn’t paid much attention to her own son even when they were living as a family. It makes me so mad because how could you ignore his sweet little face? My mind is swirling with thoughts of us being a family. I know this is reckless thinking. I just broke off a relationship. How could I jump into something new? And how do I even know he wants that?
It’s not new. And that’s the problem. Nothing about Matt is new. He’s my home.
I hear a knock on my front door and then my sister is walking in before I can even tell her to. I pour the remaining wine from the bottle on my coffee table and wait for the lecture to begin.
“Did you eat dinner?”
“Yes.”
She stands with her hands on her hips and asks accusingly, “You did?”
I sip from my drink, keeping my eyes on her. “Yes.”
“What did you have?”
“Fruit.”