“God,” Natalie says. “Poor Tucker.”
I exchange glances with Eden. She bites her lip and steps closer. “Hey,” she murmurs. “Do you think you should maybe…you know, go after him?”
“And leave you here with my family?”
“I’ll be okay. You said you’ve been thinking you should talk to him. And it seems like maybe he could use a friend. Or a brother.”
I know it must be hard for her, being on the spot with my whole family, so for her to make this offer feels…huge. Generous. I’m suddenly absurdly, deeply grateful that someone this big-hearted wants to be with me, for however short a time, in however limited a way.
And I crave so, so much more of her.
But now’s not the time to dwell on that. We’ve given Tucker space, but enough’s enough.
“Yeah,” I say. “I should go after him. I’ll either come right back here or text you to let you know where I end up. And—thank you.”
“Of course,” she says, and she tilts her chin up.
I kiss her, in front of my whole nosy family, and then I go after my brother.
35
Eden
Easton calls us into the kitchen for dinner, which is two lasagnas—one spinach and pesto, and one meat lover’s. I take a spoonful of each.
“Why choose?” I say, lifting a shoulder as Sonya comes up on my left.
“Indeed,” she says, laughing, and does the same. “Woman after my own heart.”
We sit together on the couch.
“So,” a voice says, and I look up to find Shane, eyes amused, watching me. “You and Rhys, huh?”
“Shane,” Ivy warns from the doorway behind us. She comes in and edges up to her fiancé. “Behave.”
“Don’t I always?” he asks innocently.
“Almost never,” she says, sighing, but she smiles up at him fondly, and it’s clear she adores him.
“This is amazing.” I indicate my plate full of lasagnas, salad, and hot, tender garlic bread. “I want a lifetime invite to family dinner.”
The whole room goes silent.
“Shit! No! I didn’t mean it like that!”
They’re all staring at me.
“I swear I didn’t mean it like that. I just meant, you know, for the food.”
“Uh-huh,” Shane says. He’s smirking.
I sigh.
“I can’t believe Rhys left you alone with this crew,” Sonya whispers. “He must have a lot of faith in your ability to hold your own.”
“I told him to go. Maybe Tucker will talk to him.”
“Yeah,” she says. “I’m worried about him.”
