“Your wife is trying to cheer me up. Please remind her that it’s her wedding day and she needn’t worry about me. She should be enjoying herself.” Anika squeezed Ronnie in a one-armed hug. “Congratulations,youguys.”
Before walking away, Ronnie caught her by the arm. “Think about what I said. Rip off the Band-Aid and get itoverwith.”
“I’ll think about it.” The couple strolled away hand-in-hand, and Anika remained alone, silentlyobservingReed.
Ronnie was right. What she was doing wasn’t fair to him. She knew he cared about her. Whenever he talked about future plans, he always included her, the assumption obvious that he expected her to be there. But she couldn’t help but think that asking him to accept her as is was askingtoomuch.
Taking a deep breath, she walked over to where Reed was still engrossed in conversation with her brother. She linked an armthroughhis.
“What are you two talking about?” she asked, adding cheeriness to hervoice.
“Nunya,” Ian replied, reaching forhernose.
Anika slapped away his hand. “Would you cut it out? We’re not kidsanymore.”
Ian smirked, unrepentant in his role as big brother and harasser. “A bunch of us are going to Dilligan’s later to hang out. You guyscoming?”
Reed shook his head regretfully. “Wish I could, but I need to leave soon.” He scowled at his watch. “I’ve got a little oneathome.”
“Oh yeah? Girl or boy?” Ianasked.
“Girl. Four and a halfyearsold.”
“I’ve got three. My boy is six and the girls are seven and ten.” Ian was a doting papa. Anika was surprised he didn’t whip out his wallet and show offhiskids.
“I’d like to have two more myself, and get at least one boy in there.” Reed smiled down atAnika.
Heat crawled upherneck.
“Oh. Really?” A strange expression came over Ian’s face. The heat rose into Anika’s cheeks, but she returned her brother’s gaze withoutflinching.
Reed slipped his arm around Anika’s waist, keeping her close to his side. She leaned into him, the support of his solid body adding much-neededcomfort.
“My family teases me that I’ll probably end up with all girls. Karma for past behavior.” Reed chuckled. “But honestly, I don’t care if I have two more girls, as long as my kids arehealthy.”
Ian nodded. “I hear you.” He cleared his throat, glanced at Anika, and then directed his conversation to Reed. “Kids are definitely a blessing, but I think even more important is finding someone you can spend the rest of your life with. You know, someone you can share the ups and downs with. Someone you can count on. That’s not always easytofind.”
“No, it’s not. But when you find that person, it’s best to hold ontothem.”
“Exactly. No matter what.” A self-satisfied smile crossed Ian’s face, as if what he’d said accomplishedsomething.
“Thank goodness we don’t have to choose. We can have both. That special someoneandafamily.”
Reed squeezed her waist, and Anika offered him a weak smile. She didn’t need any more signs to let her know that Reed should be told thetruth.
“Yeah.” Ian cleared his throat again. “My wife is motioning me over there, not too subtly. Looks like she wants me to meet someone. It was nice talking to you, Reed. Anika, give me a call later or tomorrow when you’re free. I’d like to catch up.” He sent a meaningful glance her way and headed across the dancefloor.
“Your brother’s a cool guy,” Reed said. “Except for when he asked about my intentionstowardyou.”
Anika’s eyes widened. “Please tell me you’rekidding.”
He chuckled, his eyes lighting up in the most beautiful way. “I am kidding. He didn’t askmethat.”
“Thank goodness.” Anika breathed a sigh of relief, though she wouldn’t put it past her brother to do that and think it was hilarious. “To be honest, though, I would have been surprised. Ian is more laid back than my other brother. He’d have to catch you kicking a puppy todislikeyou.”
“So you don’t think it’s my charming personality that wonhimover?”
“Oh, I’m sure thathelped.”
