Page 80 of Can't Help Falling in Love
“If our parents get together, we could be stepsiblings. Then when you two get married, we’ll be real brothers, Will.” He winked at Lexi.
Hopes dashed. “Shut up, man.”
Lexi laughed. “Slow down. Not only is there no real wedding, I’m not sure if my mom is built to try for forever again.”
Ethan grimaced. “Sorry.”
She shook her head. “It’s okay. It’s nice to see her smile, engage with someone who doesn’t know her as the woman she used to be. Someone’s wife. She’s figuring her new self out, so who knows where that will lead?” She looked at Will with such intensity his heart squeezed in response. “Sometimes the strangest things happen and you could never predict them.”
“I should get going, Ethan,” Mr. Reynolds said, walking over with Gwen. “It was a real pleasure to meet you ladies. You’ve got my card, Gwen. You call me anytime and I’ll take a look at your basement.”
“What’s wrong with the basement, Mom?”
“You’ve been talking about ideas for the house. I’m not ready to sell but Gregory said he could give us an estimate on some renovations that would turn the basement into a suite.”
“He’ll give you a discount,” Ethan said, clapping his dad on the shoulder.
“Mom, we don’t have to make any decisions right now.”
Gwen held up the card then slipped it into her pocket. “It’s just an idea. You’ve been tossing them around for a long while. Be happy.”
She should be happy if her mom was thinking about moving forward and making some changes, but Will sensed that she was more worried than thrilled.
For a minute, he wondered what it would be like to whisk her away, no family, no drama, no business deals or takeovers. Just him and Lexi and no fucking worry on her face. Just happiness. At some point along this strange detour, her happiness had become incredibly important to him. He needed to spend some time thinking about what to do with that. About how to make the fake parts of their relationship real because despite the discord in his life right now, Alexandria Danby was his life raft. Looking at her, he knew, the way he knew a good business move in the depths of his soul, she was it for him.
Thirty-three
Gwen fell asleep on the way home so by the time they got into the house, Lexi didn’t want to press her about anything. She’d done that enough. And now that her mom was entertaining the idea of remodeling, new worries surfaced. Had she pushed too hard? Would this ultimately set her mom back? Was she being selfish?
The week ahead was going to be a busy one. It included helping Bitsy interview a middle-aged woman who wanted something close to home with good hours. The Dress Hut could definitely accommodate that.
She had a list of suppliers she was cross-referencing to make sure that the ones Ethan currently used were still the best option. Tuesday morning, she woke early to go for a run.
Her phone buzzed as she scrolled through her playlists trying to settle on one.
We’re Still Cool
Jackie
How is it only Tuesday?
Becca
I thought it was Wednesday. Thanks for that dream crusher.
Lexi smiled.
Lexi
You could pretend it’s Saturday and go back to bed.
Jackie
If only. I’m so excited about the Halloween party. I know it’s couple themed but next year we should totally go as track stars. Your old uniform fit, Lexi?
Becca
Hey. I don’t have a track outfit. I hate running. You two were weirdos.
