Page 104 of The Art of Being Merry
She’s not making any kind of sense. “I’ve had a few too many eggnogs. Can you elaborate?”
Mom doesn’t take the bait. “You’ll figure it out soon enough, my boy.” She pats my arm before she walks away, mumbling something about “the one” under her breath.
My vision snags on Clementine, and the pieces fall into place.
Holy shit!
Echoes of words Mom recited over the years bombard my ears. Something about the woman who’s going to bring me to my knees, change my ways without realizing it, and her “I can’t wait to meet her.”
The realization has me falling back onto the couch, my heart rate pumping.
How the hell did Mom know? How could she have predicted this would happen?
But damn if it’s not true.
From the first moment I met Clementine, she rocked my world. I couldn’t understand why something inside me shifted that day, how other women faded into the background even if I wasn’t around her.
I rub the spot where her name is. Since she branded me, it’s been an odd comfort. I hate how it’s disappearing. Guess the next time we’re alone, I’ll her do it again.
“You okay? You seem a little lost in the shuffle.”
I peer up to find Clementine nibbling the skin of her thumb. I tamp down these emotions trying to claw their way out of me. Now isn’t the time. “Yeah, fine. Anyone question where you went?”
She smirks, a slight tinge of pink tinting her cheeks. “Nope, we’re in the clear.”
“Great. It would have been worth it if anyone had.”
“Agreed. And the fact we’re sneaking around is a thrill in itself.”
Willa sits on the other side of Clementine. “What are we whispering about over here?” For a second, I think she’ll give up our spot. In case anyone asked where we were, Willa knew to cover us. I’ll thank her later.
“How adorable my boys are with Isla,” Clementine lies, stealing the idea from my head.
Willa sighs. “They really are. I can’t wait to see them with mine.”
Her comment has my head turning. “Are you?—”
“Oh, no,” Willa clarifies, her expression souring. “I’m not. Just one day, you know? It’s going to happen. Sooner rather than later, hopefully.”
“It definitely will,” Clementine appeases. “If you lose faith, I’ll keep it for you, kid.”
“Thanks, big sister.” Willa glances my way. “Are kids in your future, or are you content being Uncle Dax?”
Clementine stills beside me. I’m glad we’ve already had this discussion, so I know I can’t mess it up.
“Jury’s still undecided for me. My nieces rock, so maybe put in an order for a nephew, would ya?”
Willa laughs, sounding so much like Clementine, it’s a little eerie. “You’ll have to talk to Beckett about that one. Seems the guy’s in control of that.”
“Perhaps that’s a conversation for another day between Beck and me. Not going to take the chance he’ll somehow blame me for trying to convince you to have a boy or something.”
“Valid. Let me know when he apologizes. Dumb man getting so worked up over some arbitrary rules about something that’s supposed to be fun. And yours was the clear winner.”
“Thank you. Your sister is uber-talented.”
“Something she accepts about herself. Don’t stop telling her that, but maybe work on some areas she forgets how awesome she is, too, k?”
I don’t even have to lie when I meet her gaze and declare, “Absolutely."
