Damn him.
We’d almost kissed earlier. I took Beau showing up when he did as the Universe’s way of telling me that was a bad idea. But now Gabe had to go be thoughtful and make me wish I could kiss him.
And maybe more.
Beau wiped his mouth with his napkin and tilted his head as he looked at Gabe.
“I thought it was your weekend with the kids?”
“It is, sort of. The older they get, the more complicated it becomes. They’re both at a friend’s tonight, so they’re only staying Saturdaynight with me.”
“It’s good they have friends though.”
“I know. I’m not complaining; but it does kind of suck when they make plans with their friends during my weekend. My time with them is limited as it is.”
I guess Troy not wanting time with Jake might be a blessing in the future. I kept quiet as the brothers continued their exchange.
“You still planning on coming to Brayden’s game tomorrow?”
Beau’s grin was devilish.
“Of course. I can’t let Derrick be the favorite uncle.”
I loved how close their family was and how they all seemed to support each other. It was a lot like my family. I could always count on Carrie and Andrew to have my back. I wanted that for Jake. I wanted him to have siblings he’d be close with, even when he was older.
Tears welled up in my eyes at the thought of my son growing up without siblings.
I needed to start dating. I was thirty-one; my fertility window would be closing before I knew it. I didn’t have time to mess around with Gabe or any man who wasn’t interested in a future with me that included children.
Was there a dating app specifically for that purpose? All the ones my girlfriends were on seemed to be more for hooking up than findingthe one, which was why I hadn’t joined.
With renewed resolve, I dabbed my eyes. And, of course, Gabe noticed.
“You okay?”
I lied. “Just feeling a little nostalgic. The kitchen was the reason I wanted this house.”
“You’re going to love your new one even more. I guarantee it.”
“I hope so.”
For the amount of money I was paying—even without installation, it’d really suck if I didn’t.
****
Gabe
We made quick work of cleaning up after dinner, then Gretchen showed me where she wanted her makeshift kitchen, and Beau and I set it up.
Before long, the first cabinet came out of the wall.
“That was easier than I thought,” my brother remarked as we set it a few feet from the wall it’d previously been attached to.
Gretchen seemed fascinated as she stood by and watched. I’d tasked her with removing the cupboard doors, but she was more interested in what Beau and I were doing.
I wiped my brow with the back of my gloved hand and told her, “I was thinking I’d bring the store’s box truck tomorrow and leave it here until everything’s out. Would your homeowner’s association have a problem with it being parked in your driveway overnight?”
“I don’t think so. They’re not like some of the HOAs I’ve read about.”
