The Life That Mattered (Life Duet 1)

I couldn’t help staring at them, piecing Ronin together from their distinct traits. His dad had a thick beard that was mostly gray and neatly trimmed, perfectly accenting his strong jaw (like Ronin’s) and full head of hair, a mix of gray and brown.

“Mom, Dad … I’d like you to meet Evelyn. Evie, these are my parents, Victor and Ling.”

“So nice to meet you. Please … don’t stand outside. Come in.” I opened the door wider.

“Such a pleasure to finally meet you, Evelyn.” Ling came in for a hug. A big, firm hug. “Ronin talks about you nonstop. We knew we were going to experience something special meeting you.”

Special? How was I supposed to live up to those expectations? Ronin made dinner, cleaned my house, and excelled at normal conversation that didn’t involve saponification or parallel universes. He skied and sang karaoke. And he was one of those really talented people who could tie a cherry stem with his tongue. He could do a lot of talented things with his tongue.

Again … soap girl here.

They were in for a real treat. That was for sure. On the flip side, he talked about me “nonstop,” and that made me feel quite special at the moment.

Victor leaned down, pressing his cheek to mine for the customary French air kiss greeting.

Muah. Muah.

“Such a pleasure.” He stood tall again, eyeing me with contentment.

“The pleasure is all mine. Please let me take your coats, and then make yourselves at home.”

We sipped wine by the fire. Victor and Ling sat on the sofa, close together with his arm around her, while Ronin guided me to sit on his lap in the recliner. It was intimate and felt like him telling his parents a lot about us without saying anything. I knew this because their faces beamed in a way that was in fact special.

Ling and Victor shared the details of their most recent trip. They lived the life I dreamed of living—retiring with a man I loved, traveling the world, but having children to anchor us in life. Ronin talked about me. My chemist skills. My lovely store. My friends who were getting married. The cabin that my grandfather built for my grandmother.

“When is the wedding?” Ling asked.

Children. Ronin warned me she’d want to talk about grandchildren. I wasn’t prepared for the wedding conversation. We used to joke about it, but that hadn’t happened for some time.

“He hasn’t proposed. Not that I’m waiting or expecting him to propose. We’ve only known each other for three months.”

Only.

Who was I kidding? It felt like forever.

I knew since the first day we met that I wanted to marry him, but they didn’t need to know that. Or did they? That would have made them happy … right? What about Ronin? That was a lot of pressure.

“But if he proposed—” I tried to continue.

“Evelyn …” Ling smiled. “I was referring to your friends’ wedding.”

“Oh my gosh.” I covered my face with my hands and shook my head. “Wow! I just made things awkward.”

“February fifteenth.” Ronin saved me with the correct answer, but it was too late. Everyone in the room knew what my thoughts were on him proposing to me … eventually.

“Lila wanted a summer wedding.” I jumped in with the details, a diversion from my miscue. “Her soon-to-be mother-in-law wanted a date that didn’t interfere with her complex social calendar. Don’t get me wrong, I like Helene under controlled situations, but she stole this wedding from my best friend—both of my best friends.”

“Both of your best friends?” Ling’s head canted to the side.

“Yes. Lila has been my best friend since … well, forever. We met her fiancé, Graham, in college.” I grinned. “Lila couldn’t stand Graham in college, but I bonded with him over sports. We’d bet on sports, watch all the games, and call each other to discuss players, recruits, and trades. We still do. Lila has no interest in sports. Had I not stayed friends with Graham all these years, they wouldn’t be together. Graham grew up while Lila traveled after college. I guess timing is everything.”

“You have a lot invested in this relationship.” Victor raised his brows.

“I suppose I do. When they fight, I hate taking sides.”

“But you always take Lila’s side.” Ronin kissed my shoulder.

“I do. Even when she’s wrong. Graham knows I will always choose her. He also knows I’ll always be his advocate, working hard to make peace between them. Graham and his family have done so much for me and my family over the years. They paid for a lot of my dad’s medical treatment when his kidneys started to fail. They made sure my parents didn’t lose their home during that time. And two years ago, when the landlord of my building decided to not renew my lease because he wanted to tear down the building to put up a hotel, Graham’s family bought the building just so I could keep my shop. A terrible financial decision for them, but Graham always has my back.”