The Reunion(95)

She leans into my shoulder. “What do you want to talk about, then?”

“Us.”

“Us?” she asks, a quirk to her brow.

“Yes. Us. I know you want to focus on me, but I can’t just sit around, focusing on me, when you’re a part of me as well. I want to treat you like you deserve. Can I take you to dinner tonight?”

“You want to take me to dinner?” She draws back, slightly shocked. “Like, on a date?”

“Yes, on a date.” Looking out toward the water, I reflect on the last few days. The tumultuous conversations with my siblings, the slow understanding of what I’ve been lacking as a leader, the need for Larkin on a whole new level. “If there’s one thing I’ve noticed since our camping foray in the living room, it’s that I feel lighter when I’m around you, Larkin. And with all of these adventures, I feel like a new person, in a good way—and I know a lot of it has to do with you. Your encouragement, your help . . . your teasing.”

“The teasing is the best part,” she says with a smile, bumping my shoulder.

“I’m sure it is, but I think a big part of finding myself is not just going on these treks together but also making sure I keep you too.” I lift her knuckles up to my lips. “I’m not sure how to navigate this whole dating-my-assistant thing, but what I do know is that we need to figure it out, because I’ve realized I want to take you out, show you off, be the man you deserve.”

“Well, I didn’t expect you to say that on the top of this rock.” She turns toward me and cups my cheek. “I want the same thing, but I also want you mentally healthy, and I think a part of that has to do with solving things with your siblings.”

My jaw grows tight as I stare down at my hand, linking with Larkin’s. “You’re not going to make this easy and let me sweep everything under the rug, are you?”

“No. I’m not. Do you know why?”

“Because you care about me?”

She nods and presses a kiss to my cheek. “I care about you a lot, Ford. Which means we’re going to work through this, and who knows, maybe something will come along for the rebranding that will change your way of thinking.”

“That would be the hope.” I lean back on one hand. “But as for the new adventure man, what do you think of him so far?”

“I think he’s rough around the edges, a tad rusty, but I really like his spirit.”

“Are you holding it against me that I got caught up in my fly-fishing rod?”

She laughs. “Only a little. It’s when you tripped and fell into the water that you lost your man card for a brief moment.”

“The rocks were slippery—how many times do I have to say that?”

She laughs some more, and I pull her into my embrace as we both take in the horizon. It might have only been a few days so far, but I already feel different. Energized. Ready to leap forward. But I know Larkin is right: the only way to truly feel free is to deal with my siblings.

“How about that date?” I ask her. “Tomorrow night?”

“What about your siblings?”

“After the anniversary party. I want to get through that first, and then I’ll hash it out with them. Let’s just make it through the party without killing each other.”

“I can wait for a date.”

I shake my head. “I can’t. Please, let me take you out. I know the perfect place. My parents used to go there all the time.” I tug on her hand. “You know you want to say yes.”

“Fine,” she drags out. “But one date, and then you’re right back to focusing on your siblings and fixing those relationships so you can move on.”

“Deal.”





CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT





COOPER


Cooper: What are you doing?

Nora: Lying in a tub of frosting . . . naked.

Cooper: That was going to be my guess, that or posing with cherries over your nipples for your Instagram feed.

Nora: You know me, always trying to capitalize on followers.

Cooper: And cherries on the nipples is the way to do it. How about taking those cherries for a test run with me?

Nora: What do you have planned?

Cooper: Date. Tomorrow night. You and me. Cherries for dessert.

Nora: Oooh, how romantic. I’ll be there. Send details please.

Cooper: I will. Also . . . wear another dress.

Nora: Your wish is my command.

Cooper: Remember that for when we’re playing around with the . . . cherries.





CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE





PALMER


“Dr. Beau, how can I help you?”

“Is that how you always answer the phone?” I ask. I’ve been tasked by my mom with cleaning out my room today, and yet I can’t seem to get my body to move, despite the boxes she placed near the door as a “hint.” Instead I’ve been watching Dude Perfect videos on YouTube because it’s not procrastination unless you’re bingeing something completely out of your normal.

“Always answer the phone like that. How are you, Palmer?”

“Ahh, you know it’s me.” I lean back on my bed and kick my feet up in the air.