“She is.” He swipes to another photo of him holding one of the babies in each arm. Beau stands beside him, an arm around his brother. Beau’s eyes are tired, but filled withso much joy.
“They’re so small.”
“Hard to believe there was ever a time Lennie was that small,” he says. “I’m sure you know the feeling.”
I nod, suddenly lost for words. I do remember when Presley was that little, though what I remember most is being so overwhelmed. Brad’s family was constantly hovering, his mom and dad giving me constant critique, down to the way I would hold Presley while breastfeeding. I haven’t heard from them since the day Brad left, and while I grieve the relationship Presley might have had with them, I don’t miss my ex-mother-in-law.
I’m happy for Marley that her pregnancy is finally over. I’ll have to send her a message soon to see if she needs me to come over someday and watch the babies so she can nap, or I can even clean, too. Those first few weeks after delivery are rough, and they have twins, so they have double the amount of bottles, dirty diapers,everything.
“I do,” I finally respond. “I’ve only really known them together, but it seems like everyone is happy they’re finally together. Do you think they’ll get engaged soon?”
Jason shrugs. “Who knows. If it were up to Beau, he’d have married her the day they found out she was pregnant, but he doesn’t want to rush her. Right now, they’re happy. Knowing them, they might take another fifteen years to get their shit together.”
“Nope,” Megan says, popping the p. “I’m sure it will happen by the end of summer, mark my words, Cunningham.”
He raises a brow. “You think?”
She nods. “Oh yeah. They’re done waiting.”
He thoughtfully nods. “I guess we’ll have to wait and see.” He glances around the room. “Well, I should get going,Lennie has a school event in thirty minutes I need to be at. It was nice to see you, Megan, Fallon.”
My name on his lips makes me want to shiver, but I hold it in. “Bye,” I respond.
“See ya later, Jason,” Megan replies.
I turn back to my coffee, wrapping my hands around the warm mug. I’m about to lift it to my lips when Megan startles me.
“So, no one has caught your interest. huh?” she mocks. “I beg to differ young lady.”
“Younglady?” I scoff. “And no… yes?” I groan. “It’s a long story. We actually… We knew each other a long time ago.”
Her eyes widen. “Why is this the first I’m hearing about this?”
I pinch my nose. “Because, there really isn’t anything to tell. When I was a freshman in college, he was a senior. We had a few classes together, and for a while, he was my only friend. I sort of had a huge crush on him, but nothing could ever happen. He was older, graduating soon, and… I’m me.”
Megan narrows her eyes. “I can’t believe I never knew. I mean, it makes sense. He graduated the spring before I transferred there.”
“Yeah,” I reply. “We hung out all the time, but then I started dating Brad, and I know I hurt his feelings, not intentionally, but still. So we lost touch. After he graduated, I didn’t see him again until the night of Josie and Andrew’s wedding. To say I was shocked would be an understatement.”
“That’s so crazy. What a small world,” she muses. “I say you go for it. Shoot your shot.”
“What am I shooting my shot on? I told you I need to focus on Presley.”
“And I told you no one is going to fault you for trying to find happiness, Fallon.”
“I’m a mess, Meg. I can’t do that to him, or anyone.”
“You act as if he’s not in the same exact boat you are. He’s a single parent who also has to rely on his family and friends. If anything, he’ll understand you more than anyone else can.”
“I don’t know,” I say. “It seems like anytime we’re together, he avoids all conversation. Or he ends any that I try to start. He won’t even let me apologize for the way I left things between us way back when. I’m very different from back in college. I’m pretty sure he dislikes me.”
She waves a hand. “I promise he doesn’t. It took me years to get used to his weird attitude, especially when it got so much worse after Talia left, but I promise, there’s a big softy under that hard turtle shell exterior.”
I sigh. Again, my curiosity is piqued at the mention of Talia. At this point, I’ve gathered that she is his ex, and Lennie’s mom, but that’s it. I really don’t know anything about his life. I can’t stop thinking again about Jason, even when I know I shouldn’t. He’s my co-worker, probably considered my superior, and I shouldn’t be thinking or even considering my feelings. Not that there are any. Nope. No feelings, no crushes here. Right? Push them all down and away. It’s fine.
I take another long sip of my coffee, hoping my reactions don’t give me away, though who am I kidding? Megan sees everything.
11
