Brothers of Paradise Series

“Oh, yes. Maybe millions.”

And my fussy little daughter, who is a picky eater on the best of days, pops the thing into her mouth. “It tastes like the sea!” she says, and reaches for a second bite.

Lobster. Figures.

After dinner I find myself sitting on the grass with Lily, watching as our kids race across the lawn. There’s a hula hoop and a loosely defined game that involves chasing it as it rolls. The sun is setting and there’s a light summer chill in the air, and I think about how much I love my life.

How grateful I am to be back here.

Lily leans against my shoulder, and I wonder if she’s thinking the same thing.

“They’re good together,” she comments, nodding to our kids.

I snort. “When they’re not trying to kill each other, yes.” I’d appreciated the bubble machine, but they’d managed to headbutt each other as they fought to pop bubbles.

Lily chuckles. “They’ll grow out of it.”

“Do you know what I did yesterday?” I ask.

“No? Tell me.”

“I called the school to see if they had a place for Emma this fall.”

Her eyes widen, and then she bursts into a smile. “You did?”

“Yes. They had space.” I echo her smile, feeling light, so light. “It’ll be hard to stay. I’ll be leaning on my mother a lot. But I really want to, if I’m able.”

“Oh, Jamie, that’s wonderful. You know you can lean on us too, right? I’m happy to watch Emma whenever.”

“Thank you. Truly. I don’t…” I shake my head, knowing there are no words. “Thanks.”

Emma crawls across the grass to me. There will be stains on her dress, and I won’t begrudge her a single one. “Mom?”

“Yes?”

She puts a hand on my knee. “Can you ask the captain to come read Cinna again tonight?”

“Um, I’m not sure if he’s able to, honey. He has his own life to live.” I focus on her inquisitive eyes and not on those of my best friend, which have no doubt sharpened.

“He did good voices,” she says. And then, remembering herself, “But you’re very good too, Mommy.”

“Thank you,” I say.

She turns back toward the hula hoop. Little Jamie is struggling to get it rolling and she launches to her feet, off to the rescue.

I avoid looking at Lily.

She won’t have any of it, of course.

“Jamie,” she says. “Did I just hear what I think I heard?”

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“Pretty sure I did.”

“Pretty sure you didn’t.”

A pair of boat shoes and tanned legs step between us. I recognize them both, and close my eyes. Damn.

“You ladies need any more lemonade?” Parker asks.

“No,” his sister says. “But I’m about to demand some answers.”

“What?”

She pats the grass beside her. “Have a seat, my dearest brother.”

Parker recognizes her tone of voice immediately. He’s had more practice with it than me. “And if I say no?”

“No is not an option.”

With a sigh, he sinks down beside us. “Never have a sister,” he tells little Jamie. The boy doesn’t pay us any attention, but it makes Lily snort.

“He should be so lucky.”

“Lily,” I say.

Her gaze shifts to mine. “I have to ask. You know I have to ask. Parker, why were you at Jamie’s house the other night, reading a goodnight story to Emma?”

I groan and look up at the sky. This is it. When she finds out and she tells us both off for it. When she pulls back her forgiveness for my years of silence.

How could you keep this from me?

“I was spending time with Jamie,” is Parker’s measured response. “We’re friends.”

Lily’s green eyes narrow. There’s speculation there, and like a dog with a bone, she’s not going to let it go. I know that.

So I come clean. “I’m sorry for not telling you, Lily.”

She bursts into a squeal. “Oh my God. Seriously? The two of you? Together?”

“Jesus,” Parker mutters. “Scream it louder, why don’t you? The neighbors didn’t hear you.”

“It’s very new,” I say, “and I don’t think either of us know exactly what it is yet. Please don’t be angry.”

“Angry?” Lily asks. She turns to Parker with a grin. “You’re helping me make sure Jamie stays in town?”

He snorts. “Yes, I’m dating your best friend as a favor to you.”