Page 20 of Forever Only Once
I reached out and tucked her hair behind her ear. “You always have us. And you have a set of girlfriends now.” Arden had lost some of her friends over time because of her disease, people who couldn’t understand that sometimes she simply couldn’t leave the house. That, at times, her illness was the number one priority in her life, even if she didn’t want it to be.
She had a new group of friends though thanks to her husband, and that was a good thing for her. And for me. I didn’t like my sister feeling alone.
However, it just made me think that I really only had my brothers, and now Liam and his family. Chris had been my only real friend outside of the family. I hadn’t needed much else before.
Now, it seemed as if I was going to lose him, too.
“Anyway, you know she has three friends, and you have three brothers. We could make it work.” She clapped her hands, and I held up mine. “No, not even a little. We’re not hooking up our brothers with those women.”
“Do you even know them?”
“No, and neither do you. Let’s not tempt fate and make anything more complicated than it already is.”
“Because you want to call and see her again? And having your brothers date those women would make things a little awkward?”
“You sure do like to reach, don’t you?” I asked, laughing.
“It’s what I do. And, really? You’re smiling when you talk about her. You don’t smile much these days. I think you should call her.”
I frowned. “I don’t know. I don’t want to complicate her life.”
“A relationship is all about working through complications, about finding layers. And, even though I’m your sister and this is gross, it doesn’t have to be serious. You could use a little companionship.”
I winced. “Let’s not talk about that.”
“What? You’re a nice, healthy male. You’re getting up there in age. Maybe it’s time for you to find someone.”
“Don’t call me old. You may be my little sister, but I can still beat you.”
“You could try. But I’m pretty sure the Montgomerys could take you.”
“You’re using your husband’s family as a shield?”
“Every day that I need to. Plus, I use you guys as a shield against them. Jokingly, of course. No one would dare hurt me.”
“You bet your ass, they wouldn’t. And, anyway, I have no idea what the hell I’m going to do about Hazel. But I liked the night we had, and I did ask for her number.”
“You’re the one who asked? Don’t be an asshole. Call her. Text her. Do something.”
“I know, I know. I just left the bubble of whatever we had, and I felt the weight of what was going on with Chris. It screwed up my perceptions.”
“Don’t let that happen. Be better than that. You smiled. I like you smiling. Call her. Go on another date. One that you actually plan this time. And remember, you already have the perfect meet-cute.”
“Stop calling it that,” I said and then looked down at my phone. I wondered what I should do.
I’d loved every single moment of sitting at that table with Hazel. And I wanted to know more about her.
Even if I wasn’t sure that either of us was ready for what that could mean.