Page 102 of Forgotten Desires

I’m not sure who she’s thinking of, because it’s not us. We were never friends, since I’m two years older than her and we didn’t run in the same circles. Once I graduated, I went to college and then law school.

Crew steps in. “I wish we could, but I’m selfish when it comes to time with my wife.”

“Oh, of course. Brynn is great.”

“She’s the best,” he corrects her.

I look up at him, my eyes swimming with affection. He has no idea how much I don’t want to have dinner with her.

“We’ll see if he feels that way in a few months,” I try to joke. “It was great running into you. Take care, Melinda.”

Crew expertly guides me away. “I take it we don’t like Melinda?”

I shudder. “She’s a strange one. Married some guy who was rich, took what she could and left. Since then, she’s looking for a new meal ticket.”

“Well, you don’t have any reason to be jealous.”

I scoff. “Jealous?”

“I’m just assuring you that my ticket has been punched.”

“I’m going to punch you,” I warn with a laugh.

Crew leans close to my ear. “You’re the only thing I want to eat for dinner.”

My eyes widen and heat floods my face. “Crew!”

“What?” he asks, all innocence.

“You can’t say that as we’re walking the streets.” Seriously, I have known these people my whole life. If they heard that, I’d never be able to show my face again.

On the other hand—it was hot.

“Speaking of eating, do you want something here?”

“The pork belly street tacos are the best. We have to have them.”

“Done,” he says, making his way over.

Crew grabs us four tacos and we head over to the park where my nieces and nephew are.

Olivia spots us, waves, and rushes to me, wrapping her arms around my waist before stepping back.“I missed you.”She signs.

“I missed you more. Did you see the parade?”

Olivia raises her brows.“Yes. I will never do that, but you looked pretty. Even if it was lame.”She looks to Crew and waves.

He raises his hand, and I gasp when he starts to sign.“Hi, Olivia.”

Olivia looks to me and then back to Crew.“Did you have fun on the float with Aunt Brynn?”

Crew clears his throat. “I think she asked me if I did something fun?”

I smile. “She asked if you had fun on the float with me.”

He turns to Olivia and says what he is signing—kind of.“No, but don’t tell Brynn. Are you having fun today?”

I feel like my heart might explode from my chest. He’s learning sign language. Well, some of it. He didn’t exactly sign what he said aloud, but it was close, and my niece looks as though she just fell in love with him a little.

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