We all look at baby Tyler who’s half-feeding himself and half-tossing the noodles on the floor.
“He looks just like Liam when he stuffs his face full of food,” I say.
“Yeah, and he looks just like his uncle Tyler when he’s having a hissy fit,” Liam throws back.
“Oh man, low blow.” I cackle. “I can’t wait until he’s older, so I can teach him how to box. He’ll be kicking your ass before he’s ten.”
I miss training in the ring and teaching people how to fight. It was my favorite profession before prison and something I hope to get back into once I’m settled. Even though Lawton Ridge is a small town, and there aren’t many gym choices, there’s one I can join if it’s not too expensive. For the past three weeks, I’ve been running outside, but I miss lifting and hitting a punching bag.
“I don’t think so…” Maddie intervenes. “He loves to dance just like his mama.”
“We are not putting my son in dancing classes.”
“Yes, we are.”
“He’s going to play football like his daddy.”
“Daddy and Mommy also did yoga, so he could do both,” Maddie adds with a grin, and Liam groans with an eye roll. Even I know it’s no use arguing with her.
We spend the rest of the evening talking shit and playing with baby Tyler. It’s surreal to say good night to them one last time, knowing I’ll be gone tomorrow. I’m so proud of my two best friends and how much they’ve accomplished. They fought for each other for a long ass time and endured much drama and many hardships, but it led them to where they are now. They have the picture-perfect family, and no two people are more deserving. I’m truly happy for them.
I hope someday good karma comes around and rewards me with the same.
The next morning, Maddie’s in tears again as I hug her goodbye. I kiss baby Tyler, hug Liam, then grab my two suitcases.
“Text me when you land,” Maddie calls out.
“I will.” I flash her a wink. “Good luck, you two.”
“Same to you, man,” Liam says.
“I wanna hear all about Gemma. Don’t forget!” Maddie shouts as I walk through the sliding doors at the airport. I shake my head at her persistence. This isn’t the first time she’s asked about her, probably more like the hundredth. It’s my fault for mentioning Gemma years ago and then bringing it up a few times in the letters I wrote Maddie. But it hurt too much to talk about her, so I stopped. I didn’t want to open that wound again. What happened between Gemma and me was years ago, and I need to let it go.
That was before I decided to return to Alabama. Before I realized I’d be working for her dad.
Before I found out she was engaged to a rich prick.
Before I realized my feelings for her never went away.
But it doesn’t matter now.
Too much time has passed and she’s in love with another man. I kept her away this long, so it shouldn’t be that hard again.
Chapter Two
GEMMA
My alarm blares at six thirty in the morning like it does every weekday for work. I love being the office manager at my dad’s garage, but he’s an early bird. Me, not so much. However, I’ve had to become one over the years.
While the coffee maker finishes dripping, I make some avocado toast. Once my breakfast is ready, I sit at the small breakfast bar with a mug full and eat.
Robert: Morning, darling. Hope you slept well. Care to come over tonight so I can kiss my beautiful future wife?
I smile at his message.
Gemma: I did, thank you. How about you? I can stop by later.
Robert: I would’ve slept better with you next to me.
My stomach drops. It’s not the first time he’s hinted at me moving in before we get married. Robert and I met a couple of years ago and have been engaged for eighteen months. Though he proposed early into our relationship, we didn’t rush to set a date. I’ve needed time to figure out wedding details, and after finding a venue, we set an official date for March. Though it’s seven months away, it still feels too soon.
Gemma: I can sleep over this weekend.
I stay with him most weekends, but he’s ready for me to move in permanently.
Setting my phone down, I look over my planner and check my agenda for the day. I have to place a few orders, clean, and file receipts from last week. The garage is typically quiet, but when customers drop off or pick up vehicles, it gets busy. I make many phone calls, return dozens of emails, and search online for parts when my dad needs something specific that I can’t find locally.
My dad and I have worked as a team since I was twenty-one, though I worked in the summers during high school and college. I got my associates degree in business management and then started working full-time.