The Resurrection of Wildflowers (Wildflower #2)(79)

Caleb lets out a sigh of relief. “I thought you’d say no.”

Salem shakes her head. “Honestly, I think it’s a great idea for Seda. Perfect, really. But are you going to be okay with it?”

Caleb looks between us, his shoulders falling. “I am. A part of me will always love you, Salem. You were my first love, but seeing what you two have … we never had that.” He rubs a hand over his jaw. “I’ve been seeing someone. I don’t know where it’s going to go. We’ve only been on a few dates, but I thought you should know that.”

Salem nods in thanks. Even though it isn’t something she talks about with me, I know she worries about Caleb. He was her best friend, her first love too, and she wants him to be happy.

“The house is yours then.”





CHAPTER 49





THAYER





We clear out the rest of Allison’s house, Georgia and Salem both keeping only a minimal amount of their mom’s stuff. I can tell it’s hard for her, accepting that her mom is truly gone, but she’s handling it better than I could’ve imagined.

“The relator is going to start the process this weekend while we’re gone.” She stuffs some socks in her bag. We’re headed to the Hamptons for Lauren’s wedding.

Despite us being a couple now, a married one at that, I didn’t expect to get an invite to the wedding. I know Lauren’s not my biggest fan, and I’ve accepted that. I appreciate it, even, because Salem is lucky to have a friend who cares so much.

My phone rings and I’m not surprised to see that it’s my brother. I hold up my phone, letting Salem know I’m taking the call and step outside our bedroom. She’s already added her touch, switching out my gray comforter for a white one, and changing the lamps beside the bed.

“Hello?”

“Hey, loser, how are you?”

I roll my eyes at my brother’s greeting. “Fine. What’s up?”

“Nothing much. Mom and Dad are bugging me about going to visit you.”

“Why?” I ask curiously, leaning against the wall in the hallway.

“Well, I’m guessing because you’re married now with a kid that was a secret for years. They want to meet them both and they’re old so need me to fly to them and drive them up there.”

It’s the middle of September now, the end of summer. The past few years I went to them for the holidays—Thanksgiving and Christmas—but maybe this year we should go back to our old tradition, and I’ll have them here.

“What if I had Thanksgiving at my place again this year?”

Laith’s quiet. “You would want that?”

I haven’t hosted the holiday since Forrest passed. It felt too lonely, that’s why going to see my parents was easier.

“Sure, why not. It’s a few months away still, but I think it would be nice, all of us together. And it would probably be easier for Seda and Salem to meet them here where they’re comfortable. Seda’s young, I don’t want to take her away from her home to meet strange people for the first time.”

“I’m telling Mom and Dad you called them strange.”

“You know what I meant,” I grumble.

“No, I get it. It makes sense and that way I won’t have to take too much extra time off work.”

“I’ll talk to them about it, and we can make plans.”

“Cool. Talk to you later.” He ends the call and I slide my phone back in my pocket.

When I come back from my phone call, Salem stands outside the closet, double checking her bridesmaid’s dress.

“What’s wrong?”

My stuff is already packed and by the front door along with a tux since apparently this wedding is black tie. Lauren knows a guy, so I was able to get one custom fitted. It cost a pretty penny, but I wasn’t about to not do what the bride asked.

“It’s just this stupid cast is going to stick out like a sore thumb.” She pouts, holding up her arm.

“I’m sorry, babe. But it’s on for a few more weeks. There’s nothing we can do about it.”

She sighs. “I know, and Lauren says it’s no big deal, but I know it’s going to stick out in photos.”

“I think Lauren would rather you be alive and in a cast, than worry about how it’s going to look in photos.”

“You’re right,” she agrees. “It’s probably me that it bothers the most anyway. Showers are awkward and it itches.”

“It’ll be off before you know it. Do you have everything you need?”

She does one last check of her bag and nods. “Let’s go.”





The train ride is easy enough, and when we get off Lauren is waiting to pick us up. She hugs Salem, dissolving into a spiel about wedding details that sounds like gibberish to me.

She lets Salem go and surprises me when she opens her arms to me. “Come on, neither of us is going to melt from a hug. Besides, Salem is like my sister, which means you’re practically like my brother-in-law.” I accept her hug, not at all surprised when she whispers, “The threat still stands.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know. You’ll slit my throat. Pretty bloody if you ask me.”