Page 6 of Blue Line

I soften at his words. He might drive me up the fucking wall sometimes, but Weston is a good man. A great man. A man I would love to date.

But I won’t.

Because I’m not good enough for him. Besides, he’s the one guy who I think breaking up with would absolutely break my heart. I’ve been sad when my relationships have ended, but there’s something about Weston Reynolds that makes me think dating him and then breaking up with him would destroy me. And I can’t go there.

I mean, he’d probably go on to meet the woman he’s meant to marry, which I guess would be good for him. But not good for me. So I’ll keep my fantasies about him tying me up tucked away for late nights when the house is asleep and I pull out my vibrating friend. And ignore the crush I’ve had on him for years.

“We can talk after dinner,” I tell him.

We make our way into the kitchen, where we’re greeted by my mom, who’s already busy at the stove, and Becca, Holt’s girlfriend, who is feeding Hazel, my niece and the bestest girl ever.

“Hi, kids,” Mom says over her shoulder.

“Hi, Mom.” I set the grocery bag I was carrying on the counter. I tried to grab more than one, but Weston and Holt shooed me away. I only managed to get this one because I snagged it as Holt was opening the trunk.

“Hi, Momma A. Need any help?” Weston sets his bags on the counter and begins to unpack them.

“Once you put that away, you can help me chop up the veggies for the salad.”

“Sure thing.”

“Where’d Holt go?” I ask, glancing around.

“Upstairs.” Becca tips her chin toward the stairs. “Your dad is on a ladder fixing a light bulb on the landing, and Holt bolted up there to make sure he didn’t fall.”

Hazel finishes her cereal, and Becca wipes her face and hands off. Holt got so fucking lucky falling in love with Becca. She’s perfect for him, for both of them. I couldn’t have asked for a better woman to raise my niece; she’s one million billion times better than Hazel’s biological mother, who, thank goodness, is not in the picture.

“What’d I miss?” Holt asks, breezing into the kitchen, his eyes lighting up as he makes a beeline for his daughter and girlfriend. He drops a kiss on Becca’s forehead before taking Hazel out of her high chair.

“Be careful. She just finished eating,” Becca tells him.

“What can I do?” I ask.

“Sit down and share what happened at the grocery store,” Holt says, turning to give me a pointed look.

“What happened?” Becca asks.

“N-nothing happened,” I stammer.

“Sit.” Holt points to the chair, and I do as he says. “Now spill.”

“No.” I scowl. “You were there.”

“But the rest of them weren’t, and I’m sure they want to know what happened.” He takes a seat at the table next to Becca.

And he says I meddle.

“Know what?” Dad asks, coming into the kitchen.

I groan. I can’t help it.

“Something happened at the grocery store with Hadley, dear,” Mom says over her shoulder, smiling at my dad.

“Hadley Jane, are you okay?” Dad asks, a concerned expression on his face.

“I’m fine. If you must know, I ran into Henry and his fiancée in the pasta aisle.”

“I bet that was awkward,” Becca chimes in.