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“It’s nice to meet you.” We shook hands.
“He’s also a saint for putting up with my sister,” Boden murmured.
“I heard that!” Brooke raised her voice while looking down at her phone.
“What can I get you to drink, the usual?” Boden asked Luke. “Lakelyn also made sangria.”
“Beer’s always good.”
“Awesome. You know where the fridge is.”
“Smart-ass. And here I thought you might have taken on an official hosting role tonight, acting all prim and proper in front ofyourguest.”
“Nope,” Boden replied as his watch timer went off again. “I’ve got a grill to tend to.” He squeezed my hip, causing my insides to tingle with an itch I desired him to scratch.
“Is there anything left that I can help with?” Brooke asked as she joined us back in the kitchen.
“I think everything is under control. I made sangria earlier. Would you like a glass?”
“Yes, please, I’d love some thank you.”
“Here, ladies,” Luke placed the juice pitcher from the fridge on the counter.
“Thank you.” I pulled two stemless wineglasses from the cupboard.
“I’ll be outside helping grill.”
“Thanks, hun.” Brooke puckered her lips and airmailed her husband a kiss before she took purchase on one of the island stools and turned her attention to me. “Tell me about yourself. My brother has been very tight-lipped.”
“He has?”
“Yes, and if I’m being honest, it’s killing me.”
“I’ve never met anyone like Boden before.”
“As his only immediate family member, you could say I’m extremely protective.”
“As you should be.” I swallowed, feeling guilty, hoping there wouldn’t be a day when my past mistakes appeared at my door.
“But I’m also heavily biased. Boden’s one of a kind, and while I know he hasn’t been a celibate saint, I will tell you, you’re the first woman he’s introduced to us. Having said that, please know I’m not sharing this to put any pressure on you or make you uncomfortable; that’s the last thing I want. I’m just saying it to prove he doesn’t let just anyone in his life, so that fact alone tells me everything I need to know about you.”
Brooke’s words profoundly impacted me as the reality of her admission settled over me.
“I didn’t come here looking for this.” My voice cracked. “I needed a place to . . . rediscover myself but Boden, he was so very unexpected.” I smiled, pressing my lips into a thin line, willing myself not to cry as I became emotional.
Brooke slipped off the stool, rounded the island, and stepped straight into my personal space, enveloping me in a tender hug. A lone tear rolled down my cheek as I closed my eyes and hugged her back. I was overwhelmed by the genuine kindness and care she offered with the surety of her embrace. It was another silent reassurance that I’d crossed paths with these people for a reason.
When she pulled away and I opened my eyes, I found Boden watching us from the doorway with his hand over his heart and a smile that beamed brightly. There was no denying life was a journey, and while some paths led to repeated heartache and sorrow, the true test of one’s strength was their ability to keep putting one foot in front of the other because the promise of what’s to come was always worth fighting for.
* * *
“Hun, I think it’s time to head out.”
“Really? I barely finished my dessert.” Luke appeared confused.
“We didn’t exactly have an early night last night, and you know I’ve got an early Zoom meeting in the morning.”
I'd learned throughout the evening that Brooke, an account manager for a cosmetics line and Luke, a director of technology sales, had demanding jobs that, when not working remotely from home, often required them to travel into the city an hour away.
