Page 81 of Make it Real
“Now, some people weren’t worthy of her devotion.” Gran made a sour face, obviously thinking about my father. “But the ones who were got all her love. You’re just like her that way. You love hard.”
I liked to think so. Didn’t make any sense to me to love things just a little. If I was going to love, I wanted to love big.
“What time is Jed picking you up?”
I snorted a laugh at her obvious thought process there. “A couple more hours. It’s sort of a late evening thing.”
June’s wedding would be so small, they’d opted not to have a full rehearsal dinner. They’d invited a few of us to Ty’s for some food and to unwind before the craziness of the big day. Very relaxed and casual, but not so chill I was allowed to bring a dessert. Jed had been pretty clear on that.
“Now, I want to tell you something.”
My stomach twisted over her serious tone. I wasn’t sure I could handle swimming in the depths of this conversation anymore. I tied my garbage bag of clothes and set it on the pile of items for the donation center. “Yes?”
She moved closer, her eyes bright and intense. “If you find out Jed—or any man—doesn’t love you the way you deserve…if he doesn’t love you back just as hard as you love him, I want you to know you can walk away. I don’t want to see you love and love and love and get nothing in return.”
She didn’t have to worry there. I’d promised myselfonewas all the one-sided relationships I’d allow myself to have. Next time, I wanted the feelings to flow both ways.
“On the other hand…when you find a man who loves with everything he has, you hold onto him. A man who’s there for his family, dedicated in his work, and true to you. Someone you can have fun with, who makes you laugh.”
Truly, she was a master of subtlety. “Should I addfarmer,veteran, andgood at Pitto that list?”
Her cheeky grin shone out. “Wouldn’t hurt if he kissed you so good your toes curled, too.”
“Granny!”
“I’m just saying.”
Truth was, Jed hit all her must-haves right out of the park.
* * *
Packing all day before June and Ty’s evening get-together hadn’t been the smartest. I wouldn’t have missed their casual gathering for anything, but by the time we’d finished our barbecue dinner and moved into the yard for the bonfire, I was hiding yawns behind my hand.
“You’ve had a long day,” Jed whispered. “We don’t have to stay.”
Couples were arranged in camp chairs and on picnic blankets around the fire pit, cuddling up as the evening sky turned an inky black. I’d opted for the ground, thinking being a little uncomfortable would help keep me awake, but Jed’s big warm body right next to mine just lulled me into a deeper level of coziness.
“No, I want to stay. I’ll perk up again in a minute.”
“Sounds like the words of a sleepy person.”
“I’m not sleepy, I’m just tired.” I yawned again to really drive the point home.
His saucy eyebrow raise made my stomach swoop.
“I’d love to hear the difference.”
“Sleepy is when your brain is shutting down and you can’t keep your eyes open. Tired is when your body is sluggish and droopy. I’m only tired.” I didn’t have far to go to knock out both, but would not add that bit.
“Hmm. So, no chance you’re going to make like Eliza? Because I’m okay with being your pillow.”
Across from us, Eliza laid on a blanket, her head on Dean’s lap while he rested back on one hand, stroking her hair with the other. And…yeah. The idea of doing the same with Jed was pretty tempting.
“Depends on how tired I get.”
His mouth curled into a naughty smile. “Then I’ll keep my fingers crossed the sandman shows up.”
“Are we doing some kind of dinner train for you guys next week?” Eliza said to June, who sat snuggled in Ty’s lap. “So you don’t have to leave the house for anything?”
