Page 70 of Shifting Sands

“Ladies, focus,” Audrey commands.

“Right. Sorry. Back to the shoes. Do we think the shoes are sexy?” Eden asks.

“I think it’s more that she saw a need and wanted to meet that need,” Audrey offers.

“Is meeting a need sexy?” Eden questions.

“It’s meaningful. It shows she’s paying attention, that she cares. It means she’s not someone who only wants someone to do things for her. She’s not selfish; she also doesn’t care what others think about who she’s dating. She likes him simply because she likes him,” Audrey explains, her gaze fixed on me.

“All very important things,” Amiya agrees.

“Now I guess the question is, how much do you like her?” Audrey asks.

“What do you mean, how much do I like her? Is it a contest?” I respond.

“No, but she’s showing you who she is. Don’t you think she deserves the same in return?”

Audrey is more than just an employee; she’s one of my closest friends, and she knows me better than anyone else. I can’t hide anything from her.

“What if it changes things?” I inquire.

“Like what?” Amiya asks.

“Her expectations?”

“What do you think is going to happen? That she’ll ask for a Rolls-Royce for Christmas? Come on. She’s not that kind of girl,” Amiya says.

“Yeah, she knows Garrett Tuttle, for goodness’ sake, and she wouldn’t share his information with us to give to Audrey because he’s her friend,” Eden adds. “I don’t know what you’re afraid of, but whatever it is, it’s a you issue, not a her issue.”

Audrey sets down her spoon, walks around the island, and stands in front of me. “Look, we can’t tell you what to do or guarantee how she’ll react if you tell her everything. But I can tell you that if you let her leave without finding out, you’re going to regret it. I’ve never seen you so worked up over a girl. And I get it; I was the same way. When Parker came back into my life, I was jaded and wanted no part in letting someone behind the walls I’d built. But I have to say, it was worth it.”

“The worst that could happen is, she calls you an asshole and goes home, and you never hear from her again. That’s probably what will happen if you don’t tell her too,” Amiya says.

“And that would be tragic because we all like her,” Eden adds.

“Yep. It’ll piss us all off,” Amiya quips.

Audrey cups my cheek and says, “Come on. Don’t be a pussy.”

I choke out a laugh. “Fine. I’ll confess it all. The last thing I need is all you women mad at me.”

“Good. Therapy session adjourned. Now open that wine, and let’s get back to the party,” Amiya commands.

I open the wine and help her carry glasses down to the bonfire.

Brandee is watching Wade and Dillon battle Lennon and Sebastian in a cutthroat game of cornhole. She’s sitting next to Tabby, rocking a sleeping Mina in her arms. The sight nearly knocks the wind out of me.

I remember her worries about time running out. She had calculated in her head the years it would take to find someone—dating, getting engaged, marrying, and then starting a family. I can practically see her staring at the shifting sands falling through the invisible hourglass. But now, looking at her with a baby in her arms, I notice something different. I see that timeline tightening up a bit, closing in, those years falling away.

“Hey, you okay, man?”

I glance over to see Anson looking at me with concern.

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

I shake my head. “No, more like I’ve seen the future.”

His eyes shift from me to where Brandee and Tabby are sitting, and he nods. “Yep, that’ll scare the shit out of you too.”

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