“I’m definitely not feeling lonely right now,” he told her.
She felt her cheeks heat and looked down at her hands, wondering why she was feeling so shy all of a sudden.
“And I think I kind of liked being lonely before,” he said quietly. “At first, it didn’t even feel right for me to smile or laugh. But Henry made short work of that feeling. It was unfair what happened to Lara. She didn’t ask for a risky pregnancy, but once she was in it, she was ready to do whatever she could to give Henry the best possible chance. And now it’s my turn to do the same for him.”
“That must have been so hard,” Willow said, her heart aching.
“By the end, she was on bed rest in the hospital,” he said. “I know she was uncomfortable and scared. But she kept a lid on her temper, and every word out of her mouth was so positive. If it were possible to control blood pressure by force of will, she would still be here.”
“She sounds heroic,” Willow said, nodding. “I wish I had met her.”
“Me too,” Jensen said, nodding slowly. “She would have liked you a lot.”
“Why?” Willow asked.
“You say what you mean,” Jensen said immediately. “You’re energetic and curious.”
“Thank you,” Willow said.
She had gotten plenty of compliments from guys over the years that all added up toyou’re pretty. Being praised for qualities she actually cared about and would be proud to have meant so much more to her.
“I worry sometimes about Henry growing up with just me,” Jensen admitted. “I do my best, but he’s still behind on so many things. He was born early, and they said it would take time to catch up.”
“He’s just going at his own pace,” Willow said firmly, surprised to hear a defensive note in her voice. “And he seems like he’s having fun doing it.”
Jensen smiled at that.
“I want him to enjoy life,” he said, nodding. “He’s got to enjoy it for her too.”
Willow swallowed over the lump in her throat and was grateful when Nana and Charles slipped onto the porch with their drinks.
“We brought you two glasses to start, love,” Nana said, setting two root beers in front of Willow.
“Thank you so much,” Willow said, laughing. “I guess you really do remember how much I love this stuff.”
She was joking, of course, but not completely. Condensation slid down the icy glasses, taking her back to her childhood, and it was all she could do to politely wait for her first sip.
“And here’s that vanilla cream soda,” Charles said, placing a glass in front of Jensen. “I hope you enjoy it. It’s great to see you both again.”
They all exchanged pleasantries for a few minutes, and when Nana and Charles headed out, Willow took a sip of her root beer.
The sweet flavor burst on her tongue as the bubbles rushed to her head.
“As good as you remembered?” Jensen asked, his deep voice amused.
“Better,” Willow declared. “Would you like some?”
“Can you spare any?” Jensen teased.
“I think I’ll be okay,” Willow laughed.
“You know my dad would make me pay for my own glass if he were here,” Jensen said. “That’s only supposed to be bottomless foryou.”
“Your dad is a true gentleman,” Willow said approvingly, pushing her glass toward him. “But I think we can make a one-sip exception.”
He obligingly took a taste, and she watched him close his eyes.
“Oh wow,” he said. “That takes me back.”
