We let out matching chuckles. “Trevor’s probably already laid it out in fine detail,” Waylynn said.
My chest felt heavy with uncertainty. “Am I making a mistake by doing this?”
Her brows furrowed. “By doing what? Going out on a date?”
“Going out on a date with Trevor’s best friend. A guy who works for our father. What if things go south?”
She grinned. “What if things go great?”
I sighed and sank down on the bed next to Waylynn. “I’m so afraid he’s going to break my heart. After only two kisses, I crave him, Waylynn. And not even in a sexual way.”
Her expression made me giggle. “No…I mean, yeah, I can’t wait to be with him when we’re ready. I crave him in a different way. One I’ve never experienced before. When I wake up, the first thing I think about is him. What is he doing? Where is he? When will I get to catch a glimpse of him? He smiles at me, and I swear to God it feels like my knees are going to buckle. His touch sends butterflies all over my stomach. This is stuff I write about… It’s not real.”
“But it is real, Meli. Look at Mom and Dad, or Steed and Paxton. You just needed to find the right guy. And the right guy might be Wade.”
I chewed on my lip, grasping the enormity of what she’d just said. “Did you feel those things for Jack?”
Her eyes turned sad. “Yes, but I was too naïve to realize that he didn’t feel them in return.”
“How do I know if Wade feels them, then?”
Waylynn reached for my hands and squeezed them. “He will show you, Amelia. Look at how Steed takes Paxton out once a week and they do something together. He makes sure she knows how special she is to him. It might be a walk at sunset or a beautiful, expensive dinner in a fancy restaurant. It’s the things he says to her, as well.”
I smiled. “Paxton is so happy. They’re both so happy and that makes me happy.”
My sister nodded. “Me, too, but they had their fair share of heartache. Sometimes I think we have to walk down the darkest path before we can see the light through the trees. With Jack, I thought I found my light, but he wasn’t it. He promised me a family if I gave up dancing and then hit me with every excuse under the sun as to why it wasn’t the right time. I didn’t listen to my heart, Meli. I listened to the idea that I couldn’t have a failed marriage. My heart knew early on Jack wasn’t the one.”
“You’ll find your one.”
Waylynn let out a sigh. “I know. Just look at our other brothers. Jesus. I’m beginning to worry about Tripp and Mitchell. Cord and Trevor, not so much.”
“Yeah. What do you think will happen with Mitchell and Corina?” I asked.
Standing, she shook her head. “Girl, that is a conversation over drinks. Come on, let me braid your hair instead of wearing it up. You know, just in case Wade finds himself behind you he’ll need something to grab onto.”
My mouth dropped as I pushed her back. “Oh, my gawd! You’re terrible.”
She laughed. “No. I’ve been hanging around Trevor and Cord too much.”
All talking stopped when I walked into the kitchen. Steed, Paxton, and Chloe were sitting at the kitchen island with my parents making tacos on the other side.
“What’s up, y’all?” I leaned down and kissed Chloe on the head, then Paxton on the cheek. Steed stood and kissed me on the cheek. “How are you feeling, Paxton?”
My sister-in-law wore a bright, beautiful smile. “I feel amazing!”
“I do, too!” Chloe stated.
I giggled. “I’m so glad! Chloe, do you like to feel your baby brother moving around?”
She nodded and placed her hands on Paxton’s stomach. “I’ll tell you when he wakes up and you can feel him, too.”
My heart melted. “Okay, pumpkin.”
Steed and Paxton grinned from ear to ear. Turning, I faced my mother.
“Hey, Meli. You look nice. Will you be joining us for dinner?” she asked, her brow lifted in a way that said she clearly knew my answer was going to be no.
“Thanks, but I have a date.”
Grabbing a water from the refrigerator, I held my breath. I had just put it out there for everyone.
What in the world is the matter with me?
When I turned around, all eyes were still on me.
“What?” I asked, my hand shaking while I took a sip of water.
“With whom?” Paxton asked, an evil little grin on her face.
“Yeah, Aunt Meli! Who you gonna kiss?” Out of the mouths of babes.
I laughed nervously. “I have a date with Wade.”
Chloe’s eyes widened. “What! My Wade?”
My head jerked to Steed and Paxton. “Um, I…Um…”
Shit. Shit. Shit.
Paxton came to the rescue. “Chloe cat, we talked about this. Wade is not yours.”