I wondered why I hadn’t mentioned my date with Beth. I munched on another piece of chicken as I mulled it over, realizing, for the first time, I was doing something completely on my own. I had a date with a girl who knew nothing about my family, and about whom they knew nothing. Beth was just for me, and I didn’t have to share. She was all mine.

I kinda liked that feeling.

* * *

Tuesday night, I pulled up in front of a small, neat bungalow. The lawn was freshly cut, and some flowers were planted in the front, giving it a cheerful look. It was an older house, but well kept up. I smoothed a hand over my head, feeling decidedly nervous. It was just tacos, I reminded myself. Tacos with a pretty girl. Only the two of us.

Sunday had been loud and crazy. Brunch became drinks and games at the Hub. Some of the family that was around came to meet Kim and Diane. They clustered around, laughing and talking. The girls seemed fine with it all, not the least bit worried about the crush of strangers or how they fit in. Paul and Jeremy never strayed far from their sides. There were moments I felt invisible and alone, which was weird when I was in a roomful of people I loved and who loved me. But usually when the family was together, we three boys were a unit. We sat together, ate together, teased the group from our spot. We entertained and made everyone laugh. It was always the same.

Except, today, it was the four of them, and I sat to the side, talking to Jaxson or Dad most of the time, trying not to feel left out—and failing. Still, I smiled and covered up my unease.

I wandered down to the beach, needing to escape for a while. Gracie had followed not long after, linking her free arm with mine. We were quiet for a minute before she spoke.

“You okay?” she asked.

“I’m good.”

“Too much back there?”

I sighed and was honest. “At times. It’s a freaking circus.”

She laughed quietly and squeezed my arm. “I know. I feel the same sometimes. Paul and Jeremy seem happy.”

“Yep.”

Gracie was never one to mince words. “Are you feeling left out?”

“I’m not sure how I’m feeling. I’m happy for them, though.”

“You’ll find the right girl. And you’ll want her to be part of the circus.”

“Maybe.”

“You will,” she insisted. “You need to find your person. The one who loves Ronan. It makes a world of difference.”

“Like Jaxson is for you?”

Her smile was wide and happy. “Yes. I belong to him, and he is mine. When we’re with the family, it’s fun and great, but our life is together and separate in many ways. Right now, the family is the focus for you. Being part of it. You need to find your life outside it and build a world that includes it, but that isn’t the entire focus.” She huffed. “You share your life with the family, but your world is the person you love. If that makes any sense.”

“It does.”

“Good. You’ll find her, Ronan. I know it. And she’ll be awesome.”

I was tempted to tell her about my date with Beth, but I refrained. I still didn’t want to share her with anyone. I had no idea if anything would come of it. If there would be a second date. If it would lead to anything.

I sighed and climbed out of the car. There was only one way to find out.

I rang the doorbell and stood back. Beth opened the door, and my breath caught in my throat. Her hair was shiny, the curls wild around her face. She was wearing a pretty green blouse and a skirt that flowed around her knees. She smiled and accepted the small bunch of flowers I had picked up. I didn’t know her favorite kind, so I let the lady at the shop make a bouquet.

“These are lovely!” Beth exclaimed and leaned up to kiss my cheek.

I grinned. “So are you.”

Her cheeks darkened, and she indicated for me to come in. I met three sets of eyes as I entered the living room.

A pretty woman with dark hair and blue eyes stood.

“This is Paige, my roommate,” Beth introduced us.

I shook Paige’s hand. “Nice to meet you.”

She put her hand on the little girl’s shoulder. “This is my daughter, Lucy.”

I crouched down, trying not to look so tall. “Hi, Lucy. I’m Ronan.”

Hesitant hazel eyes met my green. “You’re big.”

“I am.”

“Are you scary?”

I laughed. “I try not to be.”

She held out her left hand, and I was surprised to see the artificial limb on her right. I switched hands and shook hers gently, then stood and faced the young boy who was staring at me.

Beth smiled. “This is my brother, Evan. Evan, this is Ronan.”

Tags: Melanie Moreland Vested Interest - ABC Corp Romance
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