Too Complicated

  Gabe looked at the floor and rubbed his hand on the back of his neck.

  “I know, Rear, but I hate that Chris knows how much his mother gave up, and how much she struggled to make sure he was well-cared for, knowing that all the while I had more than enough to give them both a comfortable life where they wouldn’t have wanted for anything.”

  I understood my cousin’s guilt. Hell, I’d felt plenty guilt of my own since we’d found out about Christopher, but he wasn’t at fault, I truly believed that, and I needed him to believe it too.

  “What if she’d been able to get in touch with you all those years ago? You’d have married her,” I said, even though the words made me physically ill, “and you both would have been miserable.” Gabe lifted his head, his eyes flashing, but before he could give a rebuttal, I continued, “You get along, yes, and you would have been able to be there while Chris grew up, but, Gabe, you’re friends at best. You don’t love each other. And what about Zoey? You think she ever would have given you the time of day if you were her ex-brother-in-law? Not on your life. You and Zoey were meant to be together, and you and Christopher are as close as a father and son could be. Things worked out for the best.”

  I walked away to give him a minute to process, knowing once he worked it all out in his head, he’d go back to knowing that the current situation between him, Chloe, Chris, and Zoey was exactly as it should be. It was just hard for him when faced with his son’s factual accounting of Chloe’s personal life, to know that he had a hand in it.

  “Sorry, Rear,” Dillon said as I approached. “I didn’t even think about the kid when I opened my big mouth.”

  “That’s okay, I know you were just fucking with me, as usual.”

  “But, hey, now that Chris is out of earshot, are you going to give it a go?”

  I sighed and answered, “I don’t know, man … The relationships within the family are messy, and she told me how much she needs a friend right now. Maybe it’s best if I put my feelings on the backburner and just be what she needs.”

  “There’s no reason why you can’t be her friend, and pursue her at the same time. Hell, Rear, you’re a lawyer, you could persuade her into your way of thinking without her even realizing you’d moved out of the friend zone. If you like her, fuck the complications and just go for it.”

  Before I could reply, the tailor came out to make sure everything fit correctly and take the tuxedos back to get them cleaned before the big day.

  As I put my regular suit back on so that I could head to work, I thought about what Dillon said and wondered if I was suave enough to pull it off.

  Chapter Fourteen ~ Chloe

  “No, this is too much, Zo,” I said as I practically salivated over the long, flowing lavender dress I was wearing.

  “No, it’s not, it’s perfect,” Zoey countered as she walked around me in a circle.

  “Aren’t bridesmaids supposed to have ugly dresses?” I asked, turning on my heel to check out the back of the dress.

  I let out a lustful sigh as I took in the beautiful drape of the fabric.

  “Yeah, back in nineteen eighty, but not now, and not my sister,” Zoey replied, her tone fierce. “It looks like it was made for you.”

  I turned again, then brought my hand to the low-cut bodice of the dress.

  “You don’t think it’s a little too indecent for a family wedding?”

  “MMMM mmmm,” she replied with a shake of her head and a saucy grin. “That’s my favorite part. And, I know when you wear it, I won’t be the only one getting laid on my wedding night.”

  The room erupted with female laughter, and I tried to hide my blush as I looked at Jasmine and Serena, who were currently lounging on a high-back sofa, legs tucked under them as they sipped champagne and watched Zoey and me.

  We’d decided it would be more fun to try on dresses individually and each have our own mini fashion shows, than to put on all the dresses at one time. Jasmine and Serena had already showed off their beautiful, matching lavender gowns, which had been stylishly cut, but not as extravagant as the one I currently had on.

  “That’s definitely the one,” Serena said softly.

  “And, you’re definitely getting laid,” Jasmine added with a smirk.

  I rolled my eyes at the three women and said, “Getting laid is not on the agenda for that night. I’ll be there taking my role as maid of honor seriously.”

  “Well, I plan on getting laid,” Jasmine said, and when Serena nodded and simply said, “Me too,” I had to laugh.

  “You guys are nuts.”

  “Any special prospects?” Zoey asked, turning her twinkling gaze on them.

  “Oh, no, here we go with the matchmaking again,” I groaned as I stepped off the platform and into the changing room.

  I sighed again as I took one last good look of myself in the gorgeous dress, and then began to take it off.

  “I don’t know yet,” I heard Jasmine reply. “I’ll have to see who else comes without a date. Oh, Rena, there’s this guy, Jed, he’s kind of new, and I don’t think you’ve met him yet. Total dreamboat, I think you’d like him.”

  “How do you know him?”

  “He lives in Ass’s neighborhood, and is adding on to Gabe’s house. He was at the barbecue you missed last week.”

  “I don’t know,” Serena replied, her voice conveying her wariness. “Sounds a little too close to home. I wouldn’t want to take a guy home from the wedding, only to have to see him at every get-together we had thereafter.”

  “Good point,” Jasmine said.

  “What about Shane?” Zoey asked.

  “Same deal for me,” Serena replied. “Too close to home, especially with him working at the bar, plus, I’ve always thought he and Jazzy would be great together.”

  “What?” I heard Jazzy sputter just before opening my dressing room door. My eyes found her, and I was surprised to see her face turn as red as her hair as I walked out. “No way!”

  “Why not? He’s totally hot,” Serena said.

  “And sweet,” Zoey added.

  “And Australian,” I put in as I joined the group.

  Jasmine nodded and replied, “All great points, but, he’s a total player, who works for the family, plus, there’s no way he’ll come to the wedding solo.”

  “I think you’re protesting way too much for someone claiming not to like a guy,” Rena said, then leaned away from her cousin with a giggle when Jasmine reached out and tried to swat her on the head.

  “Zoey, I have a few dresses ready for you in the dressing room, if you’re ready,” the proprietor of the bridal salon said, breaking us up before we could razz Jasmine any further.

  I joined the others on the couch and picked up my champagne as we waited to see Zoey come out in her first dress.

  “Did I tell you that we decided on a s’mores station at the rehearsal?” Zoey asked excitedly from behind the door. “Oh, and we’re going to lay long boards over bales of hay for seating during the ceremony. It’s going to be so amazing.”

  “I had some ideas for centerpieces and a few different things we can do with chalkboards too,” I called out. “I’ve been going crazy on Pinterest. There are some awesome ideas on there.”

  Before anyone could say another word, Zoey walked out of the room and took our breath away.

  “What do you think?” she asked as she glided into the room. “I know it’s just the first one, but I love how it’s strapless on top and flows into this beautiful flowing skirt. Plus, the fabric here hides my belly pretty well, and it’s long enough that people won’t notice when I don’t wear heels.”

  It took me a moment to find my voice, and when I did I asked, “Have you seen it?”

  Zoey shook her head and said, “No, I wanted to do it out here, with you guys.”

  She stood on the platform, still facing us, her eyes roaming our faces as she gauged our reaction to the dress.

  “Look,” I urged softly, then stood to go stand next to my baby sister.

/>   Zoey turned, her eyes welling as she surveyed herself from head to toe in the mirror.

  “Oh,” she whispered.

  Jasmine and Serena got up and joined us on the platform, and the four of us stood there, taking in Zoey’s glorious beauty in a dress that seemed to be tailor-made for her.

  “You are definitely getting laid in that dress,” Jasmine said, causing us all to laugh through our tears.

  Chapter Fifteen ~ Reardon

  “Hey,” I said in greeting as I walked down the path in front of my house to the driveway. I’d talked Chloe into coming over for dinner again, using planning the bachelor/bachelorette party as my excuse. This time, she’d brought Christopher with her.

  “Hi,” Chloe replied with a smile as she got out of the car. She was really glowing, and the beauty of her made me pause for a second, before clearing my throat and smiling at her son,

  “How’s it going, Chris?”

  “Pretty good,” he said with a shrug, then added, “Although my English teacher gave us an assignment at the last minute, which sucks.”

  Hey,” Chloe chided, “don’t say sucks.” Then she turned her attention back to me and said, “He’ll have to do some homework while we’re here, but first, I want to show you something.”

  Chloe held out her hand to me as she rounded the car, and I swear, I hustled toward her like a giddy teenager, eager to feel her hand in mine. I caught sight of Chris snickering at me before putting his skateboard on the sidewalk and taking off ahead of us. Chloe was oblivious to both of our reactions, too excited about what she was about to show me, so I decided to ignore the fact that I was coming off like a total dweeb to Chris and let Chloe lead me where she liked.

  We turned the corner and went down a couple houses, before we stopped in front of a powder-blue, two-story house, with a sold sign on the lawn.

  “You bought it!” I exclaimed, pulling her in for a hug without even thinking. “That’s wonderful. I’m so happy for you.”

  Chloe was so excited she was practically vibrating in my arms, causing me to laugh.

  “Isn’t it beautiful?” she asked, turning her head to look at her house in wonder, without stepping out of my arms.

  I took advantage of the situation and kept her close as I murmured my agreement and stood in front of her new home.

  Sue me.

  Chris kept skating back and forth, past us on his board, not pausing as he said, “Pretty cool, huh, Rear? We’re going to be neighbors.”

  “Very cool,” I replied, wondering if offering to take turns having each over for dinner every night would be too forward.

  The fruity smell of her hair hit me one last time before she pulled out of my arms and took my hand again.

  “Want to see the inside?”

  “Absolutely.”

  Chloe led me inside and showed me around the empty space, which was very similar to my own home, except all of her bedrooms were upstairs, with the office down stairs.

  “When are you moving in?” I asked as we walked back to my house.

  “Well,” she began, chewing her bottom lip while she thought. “We have the party this weekend, and the wedding next, but I don’t want to wait until after the wedding to move in, so I’ll probably shoot for some time next week. I hate to bug everyone when they’re busy with the wedding, but I really want to get Chris settled and out of the hotel. Plus, I started school this week, and it’s already difficult to concentrate in that small space.”

  “I don’t think it will be a problem. It’s not like they’re having an extravagant event. Things are pretty much good to go on the wedding front. I’ll have my secretary move stuff around so that I can at least take one full day off to help you. Just let me know when.”

  “Really?” Chloe asked, her eyes full of wonder. She looked so adorable that it took everything within me not to brush my lips against hers. “That’s so sweet.”

  “That’s me,” I said wryly, knowing that I couldn’t kiss her. “Mr. Nice Guy.”

  Chloe frowned as I held the door open for her to go inside.

  “There’s nothing wrong with that,” she said, waiting just inside as I kept my hand on the door for Chris, who was racing up the steps. “There should be more nice guys like you.”

  “Awe, Mom,” Chris said with a wince when he heard her last remark.

  “What?” Chloe asked, baffled.

  “You can’t put Rear on the nice guy list. That’s like putting him in the friend zone.”

  “What, but we are friends,” Chloe protested, still utterly clueless about the fact that I liked her, even though she was obviously the last person to know.

  Not wanting to make her uncomfortable, or get outted by a thirteen-year-old, I shook my head at Chris, then closed the door and said, “You’re right, we are friends, which is why I’ll accept your nice guy label and still help you move.”

  “I’m confused,” she muttered as she followed me into the kitchen.

  “Don’t be, it’s just a teen boy thing. We hate to be labeled nice at that age; all the girls want the bad boy,” I responded, then moved to the stove to check on my sauce.

  “Ah, that’s not true,” she started, then shrugged with a smile when I shot her a disbelieving look over my shoulder. “Okay, maybe it’s a little true.”

  “We’ve got about thirty minutes until dinner, if you wanted Chris to do his work beforehand.”

  “Chris!” Chloe shouted. “Time to do your homework.”

  “Where do you want me?” he shouted back from somewhere in the back of the house.

  Chloe looked at me.

  “Office works.”

  “In the office. At the end of the hall.”

  I was pulling out ingredients for the salad when I heard Chris’s puberty-ridden squeal.

  “Whoa, this place is awesome!”

  I smiled at Chloe, who moved around the counter and said, “Go, show him your toys. I’ll chop the stuff for the salad.”

  “Are you sure?” I asked, wanting to do just that, but not wanting to look like more of a dork than I already had.

  “Yeah, go.”

  I took off toward my office with a grin and a spring in my step, as it crossed my mind how wonderful it would be if every evening was just like this.

  Chapter Sixteen ~ Chloe

  I couldn’t keep the dopey smile off my face as I chopped the celery and put it in the bowl.

  Reardon is so stinkin’ cute.

  I know I’d said I needed a friend, and it would definitely complicate things if anything happened between us, but I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t a pull. Gosh, when he’d hugged me outside my house, so obviously excited for me, I’d wanted to climb up his long body and fuse my lips to his.

  I didn’t do that, of course. Not only had my son been circling the area on his skateboard, but it would have been totally inappropriate. Still, I’d been finding my thoughts drift to Reardon more and more. Especially at night, right as I was about to fall asleep.

  The gorgeous, blue-eyed Viking with the stable job and inner geek was fueling something in me that hadn’t been sparked in a long time, if ever.

  “He finally agreed to do some homework before exploring the rest of my office,” Reardon said as he walked in just as I was finishing the salad.

  “I told you he’d love it,” I said with a smile, that spark flinting at the sight of him at the stove. Then I thought of something and reached for my phone. “Oh, I have to show you this, I think you’ll get a kick out of it.”

  Reardon turned from the stove to come up behind me as I pulled up my saved search on my phone. I could feel the heat of him behind me, his breath on my neck. And it took every ounce of control I had not to lean back into him.

  Clearing my throat subtly, I said, “Zoey’s never been one to wear heels, and being as pregnant as she is, she doesn’t want to risk being clumsy and having something embarrassing happen, so she wants to wear flats.” I found what I was looking for and held up the phone so he could se
e. “So, I ordered these. I think she’ll love it.”

  Reardon’s eyes widened as he took in the white Converse painted with a Harry Potter theme.

  “Do they make them in men’s shoes?” he asked, causing me to laugh because I knew he was totally serious.

  “I’m not sure,” I replied, my voice shaking with laughter.

  “They’re perfect, she’ll love them.”

  “I think so too,” I said, tilting my head to smile up at him. When my gaze met his my throat seemed to close and a flurry of bees started buzzing in my head.

  Reardon shook his head as if trying to lift a fog and stepped back, wringing his hands awkwardly before going back to his spaghetti.

  “Um,” he began, his voice a little throaty. “The party…”

  “Yeah,” I muttered, taking advantage of his turned back and taking a deep, cleansing breath. “I talked to Zoey and she said that she and Gabe had decided to do a game tournament. They’ve already set it for Saturday night and sent out invites online. All we have to do is plan the games, set up the brackets, and pick out the prizes.”

  “Sounds easy enough,” Reardon replied.

  “Yeah,” I said again, mentally kicking myself for acting like a besotted fool. “Um, they’re closing the bar for a private party, so we’ll have the pool tables and darts on site, which makes it easy.”

  “Gabe said something about including Texas Hold ‘Em, and maybe a couple of silly games, like Yahtzee or Jenga, just to mix things up.”

  “That sounds good,” I replied as I took notes on my phone. “So, five tournaments … Should we have a male and a female winner?”

  “Yeah, that will make it fair, and with two prizes each game, there’ll be a better chance to win.”

  “I can get the prizes,” I said, my head working as I tried to brainstorm what would fit both Gabe and Zoey. “I’ll do smaller ones for the board games and darts, then build up with pool and poker being the big winners.”