Page 29 of Shining Pearls
Josie
Dean and I had walked in silence back to Aunt Mimi’s house. Now, we were sitting on her front porch swing, staring out at the red lighthouse that Mimi hated so much, even though she’d purchased a house with one of the best views in town of it.
“What were you thinking with telling them that? We can’t pretend like you’re the father of this baby.” My words sounded accusatory, but my tone was kind as I smiled at the big-hearted man beside me. He was obviously a true friend, who would do anything to help me out of a bind.
Dean shrugged as if he, too, was surprised by his bold statement. “I guess I panicked.”
We both chuckled. “That’s an odd thing to shout out when you’re stressed.”
“Josie’s baby is mine!” Dean mimicked the lie he had blurted out and we both started cracking up. I laughed until I had tears streaming down my cheeks.
Dean’s expression turned serious as he reached out to swipe one away with the back of his index finger. “Is it really so impossible to believe?”
“Well, yeah,” I answered quickly. When I saw the hurt look in his eyes, I moved my foot to the side to lightly kick his and added, “Since we haven’t had sex, it would be a bit of a medical miracle.”
“Oh, that,” he said, grinning. “Just a minor detail. We could go inside and remedy that now, if you’d like.”
My mouth fell open at his bold suggestion, until I turned and saw him waggle his eyebrows over his glasses and realized he was just being silly. I patted my heart dramatically and blurted, “Oh, thank heavens, you’re teasing.”
Dean’s lighthearted expression immediately fell, and I felt guilty for not doing a better job of filtering my words. Stammering, I tried to backtrack and clarify, but the more I said, the more awkward the air felt between us. “I mean, it probably wouldn’t bethatbad if we had sex… It’s just that I don’t want to come between a happy couple––again… I’m not a homewrecker… Well, I don’t mean to be one.”
Dean merely stared at me as I tried unsuccessfully to dig myself out of the hole I had created. When I finally stopped speaking, he said, “You can stop using Molly as an excuse for not being romantically interested in me. She and I broke up.”
This was news to me, and I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. While I hadn’t cared for Molly’s protectiveness and jealous-streak surrounding Dean, it had been nice to see him in a relationship with someone who obviously deeply cared for him. I wanted Dean to be happy, but it would be great if it could be with someone who accepted his close friendship with me. I couldn’t endure losing one more important person from my life.
I looked at Dean to gauge if he wanted to talk about the break-up. Our love lives were the one area in our friendship where our typical easy banter stopped flowing naturally.
He was gazing out toward the bright red lighthouse, so it was hard to read if he wanted to open up about it. It felt strange not to ask any follow-up questions after he dropped the bombshell news of their breakup, so I tentatively asked, “What happened?”
Dean was silent for so long that I thought he was going to ignore my question. This scenario was the one time it was strange to have a male best friend. I knew from movies and television shows that a female best friend would want to eat ice cream and rehash every tiny detail of a break-up. Not having to deal with those mushy emotions was a definite perk of having a male best friend, but it left me wondering if I was somehow slacking in my role as chief confidant.
Just when I became convinced that he wasn’t going to elaborate on it at all, Dean said, “Molly’s a great girl, but we just aren’t right for each other.”
I nodded, understanding that. Our hearts were illogical. Dean and Molly seemed perfect for each other on paper, but something evidently felt off between them, at least for Dean. It was no different than how wrong Alex was for me––now that his wife had returned––yet my stupid broken heart couldn’t seem to comprehend that. It still longed for Alex to come running up the sidewalk to proclaim his undying love for me, even though that probably wouldn’t be in anyone’s best interest.
The silence lingered between us for a long time. Since Dean didn’t seem inclined to share anything else, I said, “That’s too bad.”
He nodded, and we left it at that because the lame platitude perfectly summed up both of our love lives at the moment… Too bad.
26
Claire
Ifinally had my husband back. After we made love against the front door just inside our house, he showered my face with gentle kisses. In between dropping his lips tenderly down to my skin, he looked me directly in the eyes, truly seeing me for what seemed like the first time since my return.
Our connection had returned, and the thick, invisible cable that linked us together felt as strong and unbreakable as ever. Clasping his hand tightly within mine, I realized that our renewed bond was a very good thing because it was soon going to be tested––again.
Proving that he was completely in sync with my thoughts, Alex’s pupils darkened and he tilted his head to the side as he asked, “Where did you go just then? You were right here with me and then your mind went somewhere dark. Are you worried about Kevin still being at large?”
I brushed my fingers lightly over his short hair just over his ear. It was wonderful to once more have him so in tune with my thoughts and emotions that he could immediately sense any shift in my feelings.
“No, I know they’ll catch him and that you won’t ever let him hurt me again.” I angled up on the balls of my feet to press my lips into his.
“I won’t.” He promised fervently before deepening the kiss. Surprising me, he pulled back and squatted down to lift me over his shoulder to carry me like a sack of potatoes. By the time he stood, I was squealing with delight––all dark thoughts of my captor and my husband’s baby mama completely forgotten.
Alex carried me into the kitchen and set me down on my favorite spot on the counter. When he pushed my legs apart and stood between them giving me an ornery grin, I knew he was up to something.
“What?” I asked, unable to keep from smiling widely back at him.
