Aside from my parents, I’ve had three successful friendships in my life: Georgia, my pseudo cousin Micaela, and Alec.
Georgia is my sister and, just like our parents, she wears beautiful rose-colored glasses when it comes to me. She doesn’t always agree with my choices, but she never judges me, and she always supports my decisions.
Micaela probably only remains my friend because she’s long-distance and doesn’t have to deal with me on a daily basis. She grew up in Las Vegas, but now lives in San Diego with her husband, Ryan, and their son, RJ.
And then there’s Alec. I’ve been in love with him for God knows how long, and every relationship I’ve been in was doomed from the get-go because of it. Not that it took much for them to fail. All I had to do was be myself and they practically ran for the hills. The truth is, Alec deserves more than I could ever give him. A woman who knows what she wants in life. A woman for him to get married to and have tons of babies with. She’ll be as put together as Alec is—as put together as my parents are—and they’ll live happily ever after. And she won’t be able to cut him out of my life because I can honestly say that Alec and I were never anything more than friends.
“Hey, you okay?” Alec asks, his arm still slung over my shoulders, snapping me out of my thoughts.
“Yep, just thinking about what an old man you are now.” I stick my tongue out, and Alec laughs.
The doorbell rings, and Alec lifts his arm up, leaving me to go answer the door. I sit next to Georgia on the couch. She’s talking to Alec’s grandma, Denise, about the program she runs: Keeping Kids off the Streets. It’s a non-profit organization that helps to keep single moms and their children off the streets and in safe homes. Georgia is in the middle of updating their website for them.
Alec walks back into the living room with his dad, Gavin, and stepmom, Lacie, by his side. Mason and Mila come out of the kitchen and give each of them a hug, then Mila announces that dinner is ready. Everyone finds a seat at the table and starts passing the delicious food around. Alec’s favorite is stuffed shells, so that’s what Mila’s made, along with a huge salad and garlic knots.
“How’s work going?” Gavin asks Alec, who smiles wide.
“Good, it’s been pretty busy lately, but with the rain finally coming through, it’s quieting down. Aside from the occasional oven fire, that is.” Alec smirks at me, and I shove his shoulder playfully.
“Leave Lexi alone,” Gavin chides playfully.
“Thank you.” I smile at him.
“I can’t help it.” Alec laughs. “It’s just too easy to rile her up.” Alec’s hand comes up to my hair, ruffling it, and I’m sure messing it up.
“Oh my God, you’re so annoying!” I duck and swat his hand away.
“It’s like he’s still ten years old,” Gavin says with a wink. “Saying he wants nothing to do with you, yet messing with you to get your attention.”
Mason laughs. “Remember when Alec used to tell everyone how much he hated Lexi?”
“I didn’t say I hated her,” Alec says defensively. “I just said she was annoying.” He shoots me a wink that makes him look like his father, only younger and more handsome.
“Whatever.” I roll my eyes. “You were just as annoying, and you still are.” I take a bite of my garlic knot and swallow. “That’s why you’re still single.” I poke my tongue out, and Alec chuckles.
“You are too,” he points out.
“Yeah, but I’m still young. You’re practically an old man now.”
Everyone laughs, and Alec groans.
“He’s still young,” Gavin says. “He has plenty of time to find the love of his life.” His arm goes around his wife. “I didn’t find mine until a couple years ago.” He presses his lips against Lacie’s cheek.
“I was thirty when I met Mila,” Mason adds.
“Love knows no age,” Mila says. “You don’t find love… it finds you.”
“I love that,” Anna says, raising her glass of water. “To love finding you.”
“But not too soon,” Mason adds, giving his daughter a pointed look.
She rolls her eyes, and everyone laughs.
“Are you enjoying your summer?” Gavin asks Anna, changing the subject.
“Yes,” Anna says with a smile. “I’m catching up on my sleep. It’s been fabulous.”
“And,” Max adds. “When we go back, we won’t have to ride the bus anymore since I’ll be driving.” He looks at my dad, who laughs. Max turned sixteen recently and got his license. He’s been begging Dad to get a vehicle. Anna is the same age, but she isn’t a fan of driving, so she has no desire to get her license.
“Real subtle, kid. Maybe, if you’re lucky, I’ll let you borrow one of my vehicles.” Dad laughs.