“Why? Are you not feeling well?”
“Oh no, I feel fine. Perfect in fact. I just don’t want to be out of it when we pick up Luke, that’s all. ”
We started to walk up the steps when Heather and Josh came out the door. I hadn’t seen Josh smile like that since before the accident, and Heather…well, she looked like she was on cloud nine. I knew she hadn’t told Josh about the baby yet, or Ari would have told me. I looked over at Ari. She must have noticed the difference in them, too. She winked at me and grabbed my hand.
“What the fuck are you two smiling so big about? Did you get lucky last night?” Ari asked.
“Oh nice, Ari. Really nice,” Heather said.
“I wish! My damn parents talked to us until two in the morning. My ass fell asleep on the sofa last night, and I woke up with a stiff neck,” Josh said, rubbing his neck.
Ari walked up to Josh and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Happy birthday, sweets!” she said with a smile and a wink.
“Thanks, Ari,” Josh said.
I reached out and took his hand, pulling him into a bear hug. “Happy birthday, dude. I take it you and Heather are getting closer?” I whispered in his ear.
He pulled back and smiled. “Not close enough. ”
Just then, Ari let out a small scream as she turned to look at Josh. “Yep…that true love shit is good stuff!” she yelled out.
Heather laughed and hooked her arm around Ari’s as they walked into the house.
“What was that all about?” I asked, slapping Josh on the back.
Josh let out a laugh as he shrugged. “I guess I used to call Heather princess, and I called her that last night. Shit, everyone thinks it’s a big deal, but I don’t get it. I mean, I know her dad called her that and all, but it just seemed natural for me to say it. ”
I stopped and grabbed his arm. “Dude, that’s fucking huge. I mean, you don’t remember, of course, but you calling her the same thing as her dad meant the world to Heather. It just shows how much you love her. It’s down in there, Josh. Something just needs to trigger your memory,” I said as I watched him look down to the ground.
“I love her, Jeff. I told her yesterday. I mean, I’m sure what I’m feeling is love. I’ve never felt this way before. Well, at least, I don’t remember feeling like this. I want to be with her every second of the day. I think about her anytime she’s not right there by my side. I dream of making love to her. I want to give her that damn ring so bad, so I can ask her to stay with me forever. ”
I smiled as I looked at him. He was like a brother to me, and I was so happy to see him feeling this way. “Josh, I’m really glad you feel this way, but do me a favor. Don’t rush anything. Just take your time. Keep the ring in a safe place, and you’ll know the right time to ask. Make it special for her, a time she’ll never forget, because you won’t get a do-over. ” I winked at him.
Just then, I saw Ellie running up.
She stopped and kissed Josh on the cheek. “Happy birthday, Josh!” She turned and took the steps two at a time to head into the house.
Gunner walked up and slapped Josh on the back. “Happy birthday, dude. Sounds like you made Heather one happy girl yesterday,” he said with a smile.
Josh laughed and looked at me. “Yeah, well, she’s made me pretty damn happy as well. ”
I watched as Ari and the girls stood off to the side, talking and laughing with each other.
Damn that girl. Everything about her turned me on.
She glanced over at me and smiled. She was having a blast. Josh’s dad had set up a huge dance floor, and the girls were taking advantage of it. They were all having a good time without any babies around.
I watched as Ari walked over to Jack.
Ah shit. It was never a good sign when she would request a song.
She practically skipped over to me and reached out her hand for mine. When I took her hand, I instantly felt that familiar shock run through my body.
“Twirl my ass around on the dance floor!” she said with an evil smile.
I grabbed her, picked her up, and carried her out onto the dance floor. Just as I was letting her body slide oh-so-slowly down mine, “Two of a Kind, Workin’ on a Full House” by Garth Brooks started playing.
I laughed. “Did you request this song?”