Page 76 of Forty and Fighting Dirty
I imagined a future with him, even though I knew it was pure fantasy. What if we really did move in here? If we filled this old, creaking house with happy memories? What if I got torewrite the rest of my life? It wouldn’t be drudgery and struggle; it would be pleasure and laughter and support.
Rhett glanced down the hallway and met my gaze. His expression softened, and for that one moment, it felt like his thoughts were mirroring mine.
What if this was real? What if this house, which had threatened to push us apart, actually drew us together? What if I’d won more than half a dilapidated house and a big tax bill? I could have won the man, the partnership, the home.
Throat tight, I forced a smile when Georgia complimented the fireplace, then glanced up the stairs at the sound of my boys’ shouts of excitement.
I looked at Rhett. “I think the boys have found their room.”
“Mom!” Nate screamed. “We have Hot Wheels blankets!”
“I got a Bugatti Bolide!” Alec screeched.
I had no idea what that was, but I assumed it was good. The boys appeared at the top of the stairs, showing off the new toys Rhett had gotten for them.
“Those are from Mr. Baldwin,” I told them. “What do you say?”
“Thank you!” they cried. Cardboard ripped, the boys disappeared, and then I heard the familiar sound of small toy cars rolling along hardwood floors.
I met Rhett’s gaze and mouthed my own thanks, chest once again feeling heavy with the weight of my emotion. He smiled softly at me, and no words were needed to convey to each other just how good it felt to see the boys so happy.
Feeling a prickling at the back of my neck, I turned my head and saw Georgia leaning against the opening to the living room,eyes knowing and soft. She smiled, and it wasn’t teasing or mocking. She looked genuinely happy for me—and that was almost too much for me to bear.
I clapped my hands. “I should’ve bought some drinks. You guys hungry? This is our housewarming!”
“I’m way ahead of you,” Rhett said. “Beers are in the fridge, and I got a couple bottles of wine while I was out. Sebastian?”
“I’ll have a beer,” he said.
“Wine for me,” Georgia replied.
“Comin’ right up,” Rhett answered before heading down the hallway and ducking into the kitchen.
Georgia met my gaze. “I like him,” she said, not nearly low enough for my taste. I was sure Rhett could hear her clearly. “The way you were talking about him, I thought he’d be some sort of villain.”
“He didn’t make a very good first impression,” I said, and saw Rhett’s head poke into view from the kitchen. He gave me a knowing look, and I had to pinch my lips together to stop from smiling. I gestured to the stairs. “You guys want to see the second level?”
THIRTY
RHETT
As Georgiaand Sebastian retold the story of how they’d reconnected, including all the twists and turns that led to their happily-ever-after, I couldn’t quite resist the urge to put my arm on the back of the sofa, stopping just shy of curling my hand around Piper’s shoulder.
Georgia still followed the movement of my limb with great interest, though.
I didn’t want her to have to wonder. I wanted to put my arm around Piper’s shoulders, hold her hand, kiss her—indulge in all the small, intimate touches that a couple enjoyed when they were officially together.
I wanted to be officially with Piper. I wanted to be able to call her mine, for everyone in town to know that we were together.
Judging by the way she’d been looking at me earlier, I thought she might agree.
A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts, and Piper got up to answer. “Boys! Dinner!” she called out after she’d closed the door, reappearing with three pizza boxes in her arms.
The boys came clattering down the stairs, and Nate yelled, “Pizza two days in a row! Yeah!” He turned to his brother, and the two of them high-fived before sprinting toward the kitchen. We crowded around the table that was far too small for four adults and two kids but still somehow felt comfortable.
Piper got the boys drinks and napkins, making sure they were settled before serving herself a slice. I shuffled sideways to let her in beside me, and for the first time in my entire life, I sat down to a family dinner that didn’t feel stilted or forced or uncomfortable.
Longing opened a chasm inside me. I wanted this to be my life. I wanted every day and night with Piper and her family—wanted them to be my family.
