Two hours later,she actually was fine, no capitalization required. She’d been squished by Evie and served a very nice Go West red wine by Liam. She’d played with their two-year-old daughter and oohed and ahhed over their new baby boy.
And now she was watching her friend and his wife tidy up together, a perfectly synchronized dance in and out of their small kitchen. She was fine. Happy and a little tipsy. But there was still that raw corner of her heart that ached for what could have been. This was what she’d wanted with Brent. At times she’d thought they’d had it, but he’d been just as likely to disappear for a long run or bury himself in a book right after a meal together. Tidying up side-by-side had been a rare treat, and now she knew why.
Her husband—ex-husband—had never really loved her. He’d let fondness be mistaken for love, and when that became too heavy a burden, he’d ducked out of their lives just as easily as he’d ducked out after countless dinners.
Why had she gone and fallen in love with an introvert? Why couldn’t she tumble head-over-heels for Liam before he’d met Evie?
“Because I’m like your brother, and if you fell in love with me you’d have to see me naked.” He grinned at her as he settled on the far side the table. “I think you’ve had enough wine.”
“Did I ask that question out loud?” She moaned and rubbed her face with her hands. “Yeah, I don’t want to see you naked. Ever.”
Evie settled in Liam’s lap and reached for her own glass. “I don’t see why not? He’s gorgeous.”
Jess groaned and waved her hands in the air. “I deserve that teasing. I’m hopeless! I spend too much of my time wrapped around the axle. I can’t stop analyzing healthy relationships like yours, and I’m totally jealous of the idea of anyone being better suited for Brent when I should be focused on getting back in the dating pool. What is wrong with me?”
“It’s just hard to move on, sweetie.” Evie pursed her lips. “But this sounds like something new has happened. Is he dating?”
Liam frowned. “If he’s being a dick about it—”
Jess took a deep breath. “No. I don’t think he’s dating. Or if he is dating, it’s on the down-low. He seems to be working a lot. Work is the problem, actually.” She scrunched up her face. “He’s getting a commendation from the mayor at a gala dinner I have to go to next month.”
“That jerk,” Liam said dryly. He held up his hands when they both swung murderous glances in his direction. “Obviously I’m not Team Brent, but what’s the big deal?”
Evie poked him and gave Jess a sympathetic smile. “Will this be the first time you’ll see him for an extended amount of time?”
She got it. Jess nodded miserably. “For any amount of time, really. He moved his stuff out of the house while I wasn’t there, and he’s swung by twice for mail. That’s it. Other than what I see on Facebook—”
Liam cut her off. “I thought you were going to unfriend him.”
“He’s still my friend,” Jess retorted hotly. Except he wasn’t. He’d all but ghosted her. If he was her friend, he’d have reached out about the dinner and said—something. Anything.
Liam rolled his eyes.
She pointed her wineglass at him. “I didn’t come here for your judgment, mister.”
He started to apologize at the same time as the baby woke up and let out a startled cry.
Evie got up and gestured in the direction of the nursery. “That’s your cue,mister.”
He stood and gave his wife a tender smile. “Say that again, I like it.”
Jess groaned and reached for the bottle to refill her glass. But she smiled as her friend disappeared, then reappeared with a squirming baby in his arms. He bounced on the balls of his feet, gently shushing his wailing son. “Here’s mama, don’t worry. I know.”
Evie took the baby and settled into the chair to nurse him. As soon as little Deacon was quiet, she wiggled her free hand at Jess. “Okay, so tell me more about this dinner. Why is it so stressful?”
“He’s getting a commendation for saving a fellow firefighter’s life last year. I’ve been heavily involved on the fundraising committee, and I want to keep that profile. I want to be recognized, too, you know? I’ve worked hard for this opportunity. Put in my dues and now my first major chance to get meaningful face time with the city’s powerbrokers is going to be disrupted by the fact that I want to burst into tears every time I see Brent.”
“That really sucks.” Evie raked her lower lip between her teeth, her eyes glinting. “Can you take a guest?”
Jess pulled a face. “Are you pimping Liam out?”
His wife laughed. “No, although he does own some very nice suits that he doesn’t wear often enough these days. But Brent knows him, and knows he’s married. That won’t work. I was thinking of someone else.” A naughty smile teased at Evie’s lips.
Liam stopped and gave her a look. “What are you doing, woman?” His question was low, but Jess heard it all the same.
Evie turned and looked at her husband, all wide-eyed innocence. “She needs a date.”
He frowned. “Not with Evan.”
