Page 23 of Love, Second Chances and Other Nonsense
“Is that supposed to make me feel better?” I ask, unable to keep the bitterness from my voice.
Lauren grimaces. “I guess it probably doesn’t. I’ve just learned that she’ll go away and find another victim if you don’t give her the reaction she’s hoping for. For what it’s worth, I think your costume is perfect. And the party is amazing.”
“Thanks,” I say, genuinely grateful for her kindness. “At least someone’s enjoying it.”
“Hey,” Lauren bumps her shoulder against mine. “A lot of people are having a good time. Adam’s friends can just be a bit…”
“Unwelcoming?” I supply.
“I was going to say ‘slow to warm up,’ but yeah, that too.” She looks around at the party. “Don’t take it personally. Most of them have been friends since high school or even before. They’re slow to let outsiders in.”
I sigh, watching as Millie throws her head back in laughter at something Adam has said. “I just want to be accepted as part of his life.”
“I know,” Lauren says softly. “And for what it’s worth, I think you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to my brother. He was happier in Colorado with you than I’ve ever seen him.”
“Was?” I ask, catching her use of past tense.
Lauren winces. “Is. He is happier with you. I just meant… well, things have been complicated since…well….”
“Since we’ve moved back here.”
“Eric’s death was a huge shock to all of us. And Adam has always been so protective of Millie.”
We stand in silence for a moment, watching the party swirl around us. Adam is now at the makeshift bar, mixing drinks for Millie and a group of their friends. He hasn’t even glanced my way in at least twenty minutes.
“I need to use the bathroom,” Lauren says finally. “Will you be okay for a few minutes?”
I nod, though the thought of being left alone again makes my stomach clench. “I’ll be fine.”
As Lauren weaves through the crowd toward the bathroom, I steel myself for another attempt at mingling. Before I can move, though, a voice speaks beside me.
“Not exactly the friendliest crowd, is it?”
I turn to find Jake, Lauren’s husband, standing next to me. He’s dressed as the Scarecrow to Lauren’s Dorothy, his costume thrown together with less care than hers.
“No, they aren’t”
“I’ve been with Lauren for years, and I still feel like someone forgot to show me the secret handshake.”
I laugh for the first time since Millie arrived. “Well, if you ever figure it out, clue me in.”
“You’ll be the first to know,” he winks, taking a sip of his beer. “Mount Pella’s a tough place to be an outsider. Everyone’s known each other since birth, practically. I don’t think they mean to be unfriendly, but they’re not great at letting new people in.”
“Except you,” I point out. “You’re not from here originally either, right?”
He lets out a short laugh. “It took almost two years for people to stop referring to me as ‘that guy Lauren married’ and start using my real name.”
I laugh despite myself. “Great. So how many years do you think I’ve got before people accept me?”
Jake’s expression sobers. “Look, I don’t want to overstep, but… Adam should do a better job of standing up for you. Of making sure you’re included.”
I follow his gaze to where Adam is now sitting on the couch, Millie pressed against his side as they look at something on her phone.
“Yeah,” I say quietly. “He should.”
Jake clears his throat awkwardly. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to—”
“No, it’s fine,” I cut him off. “You’re right.”
