“I can hear you,” Reed said.
“Honey, be nice,” Sophie said to her husband.
Ransom grinned without remorse and bit into the bread.
“We worked at the dining hall on campus,” Anika replied.
“And she couldn’t keep her eyes off me,” Reed added.
“Absolutely not true.” Anika tossed a cherry tomato at him, which he caught and popped in his mouth.
“Consider yourself lucky that you didn’t pay him any mind back then. He had quite a reputation,” Ryan said.
“Oh, I know all about his reputation.” Anika sipped her beer.
Reed folded his arms on the table and unabashedly stared at her. He had a way of looking at her as if no none else was present. “All of that is in the past. You’re stuck with me now.”
“Being stuck with you isn’t so bad. I could think of worse things,” Anika said.
“I told Reed he should have invited you over for a different occasion—a less chaotic meal without kids running around everywhere,” Ransom said.
Sophie spoke up. “That would be misleading. Better she sees us in the midst of all the craziness so she knows up front what she’s getting herself into.”
“In that case, somebody pull her aside and warn her about Reed,” Ryan said.
The men chuckled.
“Guys, you’re going to scare her off.” Sophie elbowed Ryan beside her. “Don’t listen to them.”
“Oh, I almost forgot. Anika’s going to be signing some very important documents at the end of the week,” Reed said.
“You’re not supposed to talk about it! It might not go through. I don’t want to get jinxed.” Anika covered her face.
“You won’t get jinxed.”
“What? Tell us!” Sophie said.
“She won’t brag on herself, so I’ll brag on her.” Reed reached across the table and held her hand. “At the end of the week, she’s meeting with an attorney to sign documents that give her a stake in the design firm she works for, Davenport Design Studio.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful! Congratulations!” Sophie said.
Reed grinned at her across the table.
“Thank you,” Anika mouthed to him. She was so lucky to have him in her life. Someone she could call a friend, a confidante, and a cheerleader.
“We have to celebrate. Toast!” Sophie hopped up from the table and held up her beer. “A big ole congratulations to you. Hopefully, we haven’t scared you off. We want to have lots more celebrations with you.”
“Here! Here!”
They clinked their beer bottles together, and tears pricked her eyes. She hadn’t expected Reed’s family to be so welcoming and friendly.
A loud scream came from the other table and cut through the celebration. Madison, Ryan and Shawna’s daughter who was a little older than Brielle, held her arm aloft. “A spider! Mommy, get it off me! Get it off!”
Shawna had her hands full with her toddler and turned to her husband. “Ryan, could you please—”
He’d already set down his beer and was on his feet. “Ah, the joys of fatherhood,” he said, rushing to the rescue.
They spent the rest of the afternoon in the same vein, alternating between teasing conversations and kid emergencies cropping up. Later, when they were all full and the children sprawled on old blankets on the grass watching a Disney movie on the blow-up screen, the adults seated behind them whispering together and holding hands, Anika thought what a beautiful scene this made. One she could well imagine playing out repeatedly over the years with an expanding brood. One that she wanted to be a part of.
The problem for her was, she didn’t know how she could possibly fit in.
Chapter 21
Anika loved weddings.
The cake, the dress, and everything about the ritual of watching two people come together as one never got old. Standing beside her cousin as maid of honor only sweetened this particular ceremony. Ronnie had selected a plum-colored off-the-rack dress—an outfit Anika could see herself wearing again—for both of her bridesmaids. Flowers tucked above their right ear completed the ensemble.
Anika’s favorite part of any wedding day, however, was the reception, when family and friends joined the bride and groom in the ultimate celebration before they left for their new life together. They were at that point now. The speeches were over, Ronnie had danced with her father and her husband and, in Anika’s humble opinion, done an excellent job with the salsa.
“Hey.” Ronnie hugged Anika around the waist from behind and rested her chin on her shoulder. “What are you doing over here in the corner?”
“Hiding,” she answered honestly.
“Why?” Ronnie let go and stood next to her.
Anika had never seen her cousin look more lovely. Her dark umber skin simply glowed, the perfect contrast to the white dress, whose off-the-shoulder sheer sleeves sparkled like the rest of the gown.
She regretted her answer when she saw the worry etched in her cousin’s features. “Today is your wedding day and I don’t want to spoil it.”
“I’m way too high for you or anyone else to spoil my day. Tell me why you’re hiding.” When Anika didn’t answer, she asked, “Is it Reed?”
“No, it’s me.” She chewed her upper lip, watching him over near the French doors, engrossed in conversation with her brother, Ian, who was in town for the wedding.
“What do you mean?” Ronnie asked.
“I think it’s time for us to end our relationship. It’s run its course.” At least, that’s what she’d told herself.
“You didn’t tell him, did you?” Ronnie asked gently.
Anika swallowed. “No,” she said quietly. She didn’t know how. Date and run had been her modus operandi for years with men her age. It kept her heart safe and meant she could avoid a tough conversation. With other men it had been easy. With Reed, impossible. She loved him, and she couldn’t come up with an easy way out.
“Forget about your fears and be honest. You’ll never know his thoughts about your situation until you tell him.”
Anika shook her head vehemently. “I can’t. Then he won’t want me anymore.” Her voice shook. Voicing her fears made them more real.
“You don’t know that.”
She laughed humorlessly, her eyes scanning the gathered crowd. Everyone talking, eating, and drinking. Drunk on happiness and champagne.
“Did it ever occur to you that you’re being unfair to him?”
Her mouth fell open. She’d never considered how he felt, too busy worried about her own insecurities and her own heart. “How?”
“He’s investing time into this relationship. He deserves to know up front so he can decide if he can handle this situation. I think he can.”
“I thought Emerson could, too.” But Emerson had even said no to the idea of adoption.
Ronnie followed her gaze. “Reed’s not Emerson, and Reed seems like a good guy.”
“He is, but part of me wishes I hadn’t gone down this road in the first place. Just continued as I was going, dating the men I was dating.”
“So you want to keep offering yourself as a sacrifice to men twice your age?”
Anika bumped her cousin’s arm with her elbow. “They’re not that bad. I’ve met some good ones.”
“More bad than good if I remember.”
“Hola, my wife.” Diego sauntered up, his green eyes filled with love.
Ronnie’s face brightened, understandably so. Despite the dress shirt and slacks, Diego had a rugged sexiness about him, and that Cuban accent only added to his appeal. Right now he appeared ready to toss his bride over his shoulder and carry her away to be ravished.
“Your wife is trying to cheer me up. Please remind her that it’s her wedding day and she needn’t worry about me. She should be enjoying herself.” Anika squeezed Ronnie in a one-armed hug. “Congratulations, you guys.”
Before walking away, Ronnie caught her by the arm. “Think about what I said. Rip off the Band-Aid and ge
t it over with.”
“I’ll think about it.” The couple strolled away hand-in-hand, and Anika remained alone, silently observing Reed.
Ronnie was right. What she was doing wasn’t fair to him. She knew he cared about her. Whenever he talked about future plans, he always included her, the assumption obvious that he expected her to be there. But she couldn’t help but think that asking him to accept her as is was asking too much.
Taking a deep breath, she walked over to where Reed was still engrossed in conversation with her brother. She linked an arm through his.
“What are you two talking about?” she asked, adding cheeriness to her voice.
“Nunya,” Ian replied, reaching for her nose.
Anika slapped away his hand. “Would you cut it out? We’re not kids anymore.”
Ian smirked, unrepentant in his role as big brother and harasser. “A bunch of us are going to Dilligan’s later to hang out. You guys coming?”
Reed shook his head regretfully. “Wish I could, but I need to leave soon.” He scowled at his watch. “I’ve got a little one at home.”
“Oh yeah? Girl or boy?” Ian asked.
“Girl. Four and a half years old.”
“I’ve got three. My boy is six and the girls are seven and ten.” Ian was a doting papa. Anika was surprised he didn’t whip out his wallet and show off his kids.
“I’d like to have two more myself, and get at least one boy in there.” Reed smiled down at Anika.
Heat crawled up her neck.
“Oh. Really?” A strange expression came over Ian’s face. The heat rose into Anika’s cheeks, but she returned her brother’s gaze without flinching.
Reed slipped his arm around Anika’s waist, keeping her close to his side. She leaned into him, the support of his solid body adding much-needed comfort.
“My family teases me that I’ll probably end up with all girls. Karma for past behavior.” Reed chuckled. “But honestly, I don’t care if I have two more girls, as long as my kids are healthy.”
Ian nodded. “I hear you.” He cleared his throat, glanced at Anika, and then directed his conversation to Reed. “Kids are definitely a blessing, but I think even more important is finding someone you can spend the rest of your life with. You know, someone you can share the ups and downs with. Someone you can count on. That’s not always easy to find.”
“No, it’s not. But when you find that person, it’s best to hold on to them.”
“Exactly. No matter what.” A self-satisfied smile crossed Ian’s face, as if what he’d said accomplished something.
“Thank goodness we don’t have to choose. We can have both. That special someone and a family.”
Reed squeezed her waist, and Anika offered him a weak smile. She didn’t need any more signs to let her know that Reed should be told the truth.
“Yeah.” Ian cleared his throat again. “My wife is motioning me over there, not too subtly. Looks like she wants me to meet someone. It was nice talking to you, Reed. Anika, give me a call later or tomorrow when you’re free. I’d like to catch up.” He sent a meaningful glance her way and headed across the dance floor.
“Your brother’s a cool guy,” Reed said. “Except for when he asked about my intentions toward you.”
Anika’s eyes widened. “Please tell me you’re kidding.”
He chuckled, his eyes lighting up in the most beautiful way. “I am kidding. He didn’t ask me that.”
“Thank goodness.” Anika breathed a sigh of relief, though she wouldn’t put it past her brother to do that and think it was hilarious. “To be honest, though, I would have been surprised. Ian is more laid back than my other brother. He’d have to catch you kicking a puppy to dislike you.”
“So you don’t think it’s my charming personality that won him over?”
“Oh, I’m sure that helped.”
Reed rubbed his hand up and down her back, his lids lowering and his voice dropping an octave. “You coming by later?”
She wanted to. She really, really wanted to, but didn’t think she could handle being in his presence alone. She felt extremely fragile and had a lot to think about, not the least of which was figuring out how to broach the subject of her infertility.
“No. I’m going to stick around here and help with cleanup, and then I’m going home. It’s been a long day and I just want to crash.”
“Crash at my place.” He swept his gaze over her body as if he wanted to strip her naked right then and there. The blatant hunger in his eyes made her skin tingle all over. “I’ll sneak you up to my bedroom, and you can stay the night. Leave early in the morning.”
They had decided not to let Brielle see her spend the night at his place yet.
“What if Brielle comes in during the night?”
“She’s been fine for weeks. No talk about monsters in a long time.”
Anika slipped out of the cradle of his arm. “That’s a tempting offer, but I want to sleep in my own bed tonight.”
The smile slowly faded from his face. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes. Why?”
“I don’t know. You’ve just been acting strange lately. Ever since we had dinner at Ransom and Sophie’s. Did someone in my family say something to upset you?”
“Not at all. Every single one of them was very friendly.” They’d welcomed her without any discernible reservations.
“You sure?”
“Positive.” His misplaced concern twisted guilt into her gut. He was being so considerate, worried about her needs and happiness. She should do the same for him. Show the same consideration for his needs. His happiness.
“Would you tell me if someone said something to upset you?”
“I would,” she assured him.
He seemed satisfied with the answer. “On that note, I better leave.” He took her hand in his. “Call me when you get done here.”
“I will.”
They kissed, but when he went to pull back, Anika gripped his arm in an act of desperation. She held on tight, keeping her mouth pressed to his and forcing a deeper kiss.
When Reed finally lifted his head, he frowned down at her. “Anika—”
“Go. Don’t keep Mrs. Miller waiting.”
He hesitated. A mixture of confusion and concern filled his eyes, but he seemed to think better of questioning her further. “We’ll talk later.”
He squeezed her hand and walked away.
Chapter 22
Reed lounged on the sofa in the living room, bare feet propped on the ottoman. He stared at the painting he bought during the art stroll. Anika had been radiant that night, with her curly hair and that damn dress with the plunging neckline that fit to all her curves. She’d been a walking temptation.
Reed rubbed his jaw. Brielle was fast asleep upstairs, and for the umpteenth time he checked to make sure the landline had a dial tone and his cell phone wasn’t on silent mode. Anika hadn’t called yet, and it was getting late. If her behavior over the past week was any indication, she probably wouldn’t call. He couldn’t put his finger on the exact problem, but he’d noticed a change in her attitude. She’d become withdrawn. Their normal two-hour conversations had whittled down to fifteen minutes, and they conversed more like acquaintances than lovers.
Brielle missed her, too. This morning over a bowl of Cheerios she’d asked when Miss Anika would be coming to visit. He’d mumbled something vague because he didn’t have a real answer.
He’d never been more certain of the closeness between Anika and Brielle than when he found them both asleep on the sofa one night. Anika lay in a protective curl around his daughter, near the edge, with Brielle tucked safely on the inside against the back of the chair. He’d lost track of how long he stared at the two of them in that position.
Despite what Anika said, he called Ransom and Ryan tonight, asking if they or their wives had said something to upset her. Neither could shed any light on the change he observed. As far as they were concerned, she’d been the perfect guest, and th
ere had been no conflict.
His doorbell rang and Reed’s gaze went to the clock on the fireplace mantle. It was almost eleven o’clock. Shuffling to the door, he peered out and saw Anika standing on the porch. He swung open the door, ridiculously happy to see her. She must have changed her mind, and all the concern he’d had drifted away.
She still wore the plum-colored halter dress, the deep hue enhancing her golden brown skin.
“Hey beautiful, get in here.” He reached for her, but she stepped back.
“I should have called first, but I couldn’t. I’ve been looking everywhere for my phone, and then I remembered I gave it to you at the wedding venue.”
That’s right. She’d asked him to hold her phone because she wanted to leave her purse locked in the car.
“I completely forgot. It’s still in my jacket pocket. I’ll get it for you.” He stepped aside so she come in, but she didn’t move.
“Aren’t you going to come in?”
“I can’t. I’ve got to run.”
“Run where?”
“Home. Could you just get the phone for me?”
What the hell?
“Sure. Give me a sec.”
Reed ran up the stairs and found the phone in his jacket, which he’d thrown across the foot of the bed.
Back downstairs, he handed it over to Anika.
“Thanks. Have a good night.” She turned away.
“That’s it?”
She paused, her brow wrinkling. “I told you I couldn’t stay.”
A tight knot of apprehension filled his chest. “What is going on with you? We need to talk.”
“There’s nothing for us to talk about. I have a lot on my mind right now.”
“And you can’t share that with me?”
“It’s not something I can share at the moment,” she said testily.
“Why the hell not? Isn’t that what couples do? Share the good and the bad? Something is wrong and you won’t tell me what it is.”
“Reed, please. Don’t do this.”
“Don’t do what?”
“Push.”
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