Page 49 of Our Sweet Destiny
“How come I’m always the last to know these things?” Josh asked.
“You’re not. Hugh and Dane will be,” Treat said, leaning against the kitchen counter. “The question is, how do we convince the old man that this is okay?”
Savannah laughed. “You’re on drugs if you think that’s ever gonna happen.” She put her hand on Rex’s arm. “Sorry, Rexy, but short of eloping and living several states away, I can’t see how you can be together and live through it.”
“You’re a lot of help, Vanny,” Treat said.
She reached into Rex’s shirt for the chain, narrowing her eyes at him when he reached for her hand. “The cat’s out of the bag now, so I’m looking whether you like it or not.”
He watched his sister roll the little silver naked woman between her thumb and forefinger. Her smile lessened, and her eyes darkened.
“What is this? It reminds me of a story Treat used to tell me. Remember, Treat? You said the symbol was a naked woman and man twisted around each other. It looks like half of the dance of two lovers,” she said with wonder.
Rex set down his water and wrapped his arms around his sister, feeling her heart beating against him, knowing she was missing her mother as much as the rest of them were at that moment.
“It is,” he said softly.
“I thought it was a myth,” she said.
“We all did,” Treat said. “I used to tell you guys that story all the time, to keep Mom’s memory alive, but I never really meted out the truth of it.”
Savannah pulled away and tucked the charm back into Rex’s shirt. “So, what does this mean? Where did you get it?”
Josh stared at his feet, and as Savannah moved away, Rex wrapped his arm around his shoulders and pulled him against his side. “You okay?”
“Yeah,” Josh said quietly. “I don’t think about Mom all the time. It’s too hard. I always feel like she’s right out of reach. I can’t really see her face anymore, or hear her voice.”
Rex bit back the well of sadness that was slowly filling his body. “I know. It’s been a long time.”
“Where did you get it?” Savannah asked.
“A woman in the Village in Allure. She knew Mom in school, and she said it was just the thing for me and Jade. I have no idea why or how. I’m just as baffled as you are.”
“Fate,” Savannah said. They all rolled their eyes. “Come on, Treat. You believe in fate. Look at you and Max.”
“You have a point there,” he said with a nod.
When Treat and Max were first dating, Treat had gone to Wellfleet for business, and Max had shown up to surprise him, making his favorite place on earth that much sweeter. It was the first time he’d been there in more than a year, and they’d fallen even deeper in love. Max had never been a believer in fate either, and their relationship had changed her view completely.
“Wait. So you and Jade were together in Allure? How long have you been seeing her?” Josh asked. “How serious is this?”
Treat smirked, and Rex shot him a harsh glare. Treat knew that Jade and Rex had been together only a few times, and he also knew that Rex’s heart already belonged to her.
Rex drew his brows together and lowered his chin, hoping Josh would understand his silent message:Don’t even think about questioning my sanity.“We’ve only been together a few times.”
“But he’s loved her forever,” Savannah said, sticking her finger on the edge of the chocolate cake she must have brought with her and licking the frosting from it.
“Rex, do you really think this is smart? I mean, a few times?” Josh asked.
Josh had never been very good at reading him. “It might not be smart, but it is happening.” Rex pushed away from the fridge.
“I have to assume you know what you’re doing, but…a few times? I mean, I go out with women a few times and know absolutely nothing about them. I can’t tell you what we talked about, and I’m a good listener.” Josh shook his head.
“Yeah, so have I. All I can tell you is that this is different. When I’m with Jade, I hear everything. It’s like…” He reached for the right words, and the only thing that came even close was, “Everything else in the world falls away, and all that exists is me and Jade.” He wasn’t taking any chances with Josh. “One word of this to Dad and I’ll personally rip you to shreds. Even you, Savannah.”
“Oooh, I’m scared,” she teased.
“We gotta get out there before Max feels left out,” Treat said, heading for the door.
