I’m not sure how long we stay that way. When we pull back, she palms both of my cheeks, looking deeply into my eyes.
“I love you,” she says fiercely. “You’ve been my best friend for as long as I can remember, and I’ve cherished every second I’ve ever spent with you. No matter what happens or how hard things get, I’m always here for you. For anything.”
My smile is wobbly. “Thank you, Jenna. Love you too. The only thing keeping me sane right now are my family and friends. I don’t know what I’d do without any of you.”
“And you’ll never have to find out.” She sniffs and straightens her spine, composing herself. “Now, let’s get to feeding our family.”
Chapter Twenty
LINCOLN
A smiling Molly is my favorite Molly. It means she’s happy, and that’s what I care about the most. Having Jenna here is good for her. The two were really close growing up—not as close as Molly and me, but if Molly wasn’t with me, she was with Jenna—and I know she misses her terribly. It broke Molly’s heart when Jenna moved so far away, but she knew it was the right move for her and Dillon. It was even harder when Jenna decided to not come back to Barre Vale after Dillon died, but again, Molly understood her reasoning. It was where the home was that she shared with her husband.
Childish and feminine laughter fills the backyard as Bryant and I sit on the back patio watching the kids and women pick barberries from the back corner of our property. Molly announced earlier that she wants to make barberry jam tomorrow, and of course, Gemma and Violet demanded they help. It’s almost dusk, so it won’t be much longer before they’ll be forced to call it a night.
Bryant chuckles at something one of the kids does, and I glance at him out of the corner of my eye. I have to admit, I was a little hesitant when he first showed up at the house a few hours ago with Violet in tow. Because of Molly and Jenna’s deep friendship, not to mention I consider Jenna a close friend, I feel protective of her and Violet. Jenna’s been through enough heartache with losing Dillon, the last thing she needs is a guy not worthy of her.
I kept a close eye on him during dinner, and it didn’t take long for me to realize my hesitation wasn’t necessary. It was plain as day on his face how much he loves Jenna and Violet. Which is damn good because I didn’t want to have to nail the guy if he were an asshole.
I get up from my chair and walk to the small cooler I have sitting off to the side. I look at him over my shoulder. “Want another beer?”
“Sure.”
I carry both back to the table and hand him one.
“Thanks,” he grunts, popping the top off.
“I couldn’t hear over the gushing going on at the table earlier,” I state with a chuckle. “You and Jenna set a date yet?”
He takes a pull from his beer then rests his forearm on the arm of the chair, the bottle dangling from his fingers. “Not yet. She wanted to wait until after our visit here to settle on a date.” He turns his head and gives me a knowing look. “I get the feeling it won’t be a long engagement, which I’m absolutely fine with. If it were up to me, I’d marry her tomorrow. I just wish the rush was under different circumstances.”
I look away from him, unable to hold his eyes. Everywhere I turn, I’m reminded I’m going to lose Molly. There’s no way Jenna would get married without Molly there. It’s a testament to how much they both love each other for Jenna to rush a wedding to ensure her best friend will be there. I’m grateful to Jenna for giving that to Molly. Molly would be devastated if she couldn’t be there.
“I haven’t told Jenna this because I only found out the day before we left to come here, but work wants to transfer me to one of the new offices when they open the doors.”
I regard him curiously. “Why tell me first and not her?”
“I overheard you tell Jenna about an art commission you got with Fischer Investments.”
I nod and take a swig of my beer. “That’s right.”
“I’m the financial manager for one of Fischer Investments subsidiary companies.”
I raise a brow in surprise. “No shit?”
He cracks a smile. “No shit. I was just as surprised as you are when I heard the name.”
“Where are they wanting you to go? I know they have several locations going up around the world.”
“Actually….” He looks across the yard to where Jenna and Violet are still picking barberries. He brings his eyes back to me. “They want me in New York City. At the same location where you’re providing their art deco.”
I let out a low whistle. “Damn. What are the odds of that? Small world, I guess.”
He nods. “Yep. I was going to wait until after we got home, but I think it’ll be better to tell her now. I know she’s going to hate leaving Molly. This should make it a little easier.”
“When do they want you out here?”
“No firm date yet, but within the next few months.”
I kick my feet up on the chair next to me, getting more comfortable.
“Molly will love having Jenna close again.” My eyes drift to my wife, enjoying the happy glow on her face. “She’s missed her a lot.”
“Jenna’s missed her too. She talks about her all the time.”
All of a sudden, Violet lets out a loud screech and races away from everyone else with Gemma hot on her tail. My eyes follow where they’re headed to. A chuckle leaves my lips when I notice the twinkling light. Another glows several feet away. And then another.
My mind goes back to all of the times Molly and I chased fireflies as kids, then watching Gray and Gemma chase them when they were old enough. Gray’s not really interested in them anymore, but Gemma still loves them.
Gemma catches one in her hand and holds her cupped palms out to Violet. My heart warms when I barely make out her words as she tells Violet the reason they flash is because they are looking for their best friend, the same story Molly came up with when we were kids. Violet’s expression is a look of wonder. She’s an adorable little girl with white-blonde hair and brilliant-blue eyes.
“Searching for their best friend, huh?” Bryant comments with a chuckle. “I guess it’s more innocent than having to explain what a mate is.”
“Molly came up with the idea when we were kids. The idea of a mate was repulsive to her at the time.”
He laughs, taking another drag of his beer. “Jenna said you two grew up together.”
“As good as. I moved in a couple houses down from hers when we were both eight. I pretty much forced her to be my best friend, and we’ve been that ever since.”
“She also said your love story is epic. She claims to have never seen a couple more in love than the two of you.”
I smile and glance at him. “She’s right. That woman hooked me the moment my eyes landed on her as a girl.” My smile wilts, and I look back at Molly as she kneels down beside Gemma and Violet. “I can’t imagine my life without her.”
There’s a stinging pain in the center of my chest that never goes away. I reach up and fruitlessly rub the spot. I’ll have to learn to live without her.