Page 148 of Doctor's Bossy Match
Her words catch me off guard, but they’re said so gently I don’t flinch.It’s something I haven’t thought about, but I’m not concerned about it.When the time comes, Brant and I will handle it together.
“I know.”I smile softly, hoping to ease some of the worry from her eyes.
She smiles back.“I’m glad you’re back.It feels like old times, when we were kids.”
“I’ve missed this too,” I say honestly.“Missed you.”
Scarlet shrugs one shoulder.“It’ll be nice to have a friend again, not just ‘Dusty’s mom or Greer's wife.’Don’t get me wrong, I love the guy.But a girl needs her best friend.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
She nudges me.“Good.Because I plan on reclaiming some ‘mom time.’I’ve been overdue for years.”
We laugh, and I lean my head on her shoulder for a moment.
Back at the tables, Brant’s dad, Milton, is deep in conversation with my dad, the two of them both holding glasses with something dark.They’re talking work.My dad even claps Milton on the back at one point and says something that makes Greer roar with laughter.
It’s like watching two old friends instead of two career-obsessed men.
I see Nancy chatting with Brant’s mom and Scarlet’s mother-in-law.They’re all sipping wine and commenting on the food, or maybe me… I can’t tell.But their smiles are genuine.
I walk over to the grill area, where Brant is playing with Dusty and Aria near the patio’s edge.Dusty’s showing him a dance while Aria tugs on his shirt.
“You’re doing it wrong,” Dusty protests, showing the moves again.
“I’m trying,” Brant laughs, attempting to keep up.“Your hands are too fast.”
Greer appears with a drink, watching us.“You’re getting schooled by a five-year-old.”
“My turn,” Aria pleads, now climbing Brant’s back.
“Hey,” Brant laughs some more, reaching around to steady her.“I’m not a tree.”
“You are a tall one,” she chirps.
“That makes you a monkey.”
Everyone laughs.
I glance around again at all the familiar faces, the sound of home surrounding me.
My dad catches my eye across the patio.He lifts his glass and gives me a quiet smile.There’s no lecture behind it, no unreadable caution.Just… happiness.
Aria climbs down off Brant’s back to dance with Dusty.Brant walks over, wrapping his arms around me from behind, pulling me close against his chest.
“You okay?”he asks softly, like he already knows the answer.
“More than okay.”I lean into him, brushing his fingers with mine.“I think I finally found where I’m supposed to be.”
He kisses the top of my head.“You always belonged here.”
Brant’s arm stays wrapped around me the whole time, like he’s anchoring me here, in this moment, in this home we’re building.
I don’t want to be anywhere else.
The End.
