She searched his gaze and shook her head. “Nothing. It’s fine. I’m starving.”
Rosie put the brush down and picked up a sandwich, taking a large bite. “Thank you.”
He couldn’t speak in that moment, so he only nodded. “You’re welcome.”
Words failed him.
Pops didn’t know what to say for Rosie to know what he was thinking or feeling.
He hoped the others could speak for him.
****
Two weeks later
Rosie smiled at Gavin and Ethan as they continued to install the café that she always wanted. Joe was serving a customer, and she felt … empty. No, that wasn’t right. She didn’t feel empty. Scared, worried, strange.
Two weeks had been the best of her life, but there was something missing. Something didn’t feel right to her, and it was putting her on constant edge.
Joe sighed. “Well another man is going to be feeling wonderful.”
“Why?” she asked.
“His wife has just bought the manual of all sex manuals. The only reason a woman buys that is when she’s in need of some real action.” Joe looked at her. “Are you feeling okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Why?”
“You seem a little distant, and you clearly have a few issues. I’m your best friend, and I can see them. Come on, let’s go and have a coffee, and talk.”
She followed him into the back, and she didn’t know what she was going to say. It was next to impossible to think of the right words, and told him so.
“Then tell me the truth. I’m your best friend, Rosie. Be honest with me, and I may be able to help.”
“I’m scared.”
“Of what?” Joe asked.
“Of losing them, Joe.”
“Who?”
“Pops, Billy, Marshall, Gavin, and Ethan. I love them so much, and I didn’t have a clue how much until I think that I might lose them.”
“Sweetie, you’ve got no chance of losing them. They love you.”
“How do you know that? Have they told you as well?” she asked, wiping her eyes.
“Because I see the way they look at you, and anyone who looks at someone like that, it’s love. Besides, don’t you believe them? They must have told you.”
“They did. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
Tears fell down her cheeks, and she wiped them away. There were no words to describe the pain she was feeling in her chest.
“What has brought this on?”
“I don’t know. The last two weeks, it has been the best of my life. They all share me, and we all sit around together, talking, and laughing. We’re like one big family. I love it.”
“What’s the problem?” he asked.