Joylyn. He didn’t want to take any more risks like that. But kids were different. He liked kids. But how to have one without the other?
He parked in front of Jasper’s house and walked to the front door. Seconds after he knocked he heard Koda barking. Jasper let him in.
Garrick handed him the six-pack of beer he’d brought, then dropped to a knee to greet the old dog who circled him, tail wagging.
“Hey, you,” he said, rubbing Koda’s ears. “How you doing, big guy?”
Koda woofed his answer, before swiping Garrick’s face with a quick lick. Garrick stood and greeted his friend.
“You don’t have to rub my ears,” Jasper said dryly, leading the way to the family room where a large Christmas tree, decorated in red and silver ornaments, dominated the space.
“Good, because I was going to say you don’t have to lick my face.”
Cade sat on the sofa. He looked at them both. “Do I want to know what you’re talking about?”
Garrick laughed. “Nope.”
Cade grinned. “Now I’m worried.”
Garrick took one of the beers and opened it, then settled on the far end of the huge sectional. The game was on, but the sound was muted.
“Where’s Renee?” he asked.
“Prepping for the wedding tomorrow,” Jasper said, stirring the contents of the Crock-Pot. “I guess it’s a big one. Then Saturday is Holly’s wedding, which should be easier.”
“She still taking off the rest of the year?” Garrick asked as Jasper joined them on the sofa.
“She is.” Jasper reached down and patted Koda.
“So where are you two going?” Cade asked. “You said somewhere tropical. Hawaii’s nice. So’s the Caribbean.”
“We’re staying here.” Jasper raised a shoulder. “Renee just wants us to hang out here and do nothing. To be honest, I don’t care what we do, as long as we have a couple of weeks together.”
A sentiment Garrick understood. He would like that with Wynn. Just the two of them somewhere quiet. The location wasn’t important. It was more about the time and the company. Not that he minded having Hunter around. He was a great kid. But a little one-on-one with Wynn would be great. Just them and zero complications.
Only she wanted more children. Did it change anything? While they were involved, neither of them had ever mentioned having a future. Still, he wasn’t the kind of guy who went from woman to woman. He liked being with Wynn. As for his worries about getting married again, he knew she wasn’t like his ex at all. So what did that mean?
“Earth to Garrick,” Cade said, waving his beer. “You still with us?”
Garrick nodded. “Just got a couple of things on my mind.”
Jasper looked at him. “Want to talk about it?”
Cade raised his eyebrows. “When did you turn into someone with a soft, gooey center?”
“I’m a writer, my friend. I’m allowed to be intuitive and sensitive.”
“You say that like it’s a good thing,” Cade muttered.
“You act tough, but the truth is you’re just as much of a wuss as the rest of us,” Garrick said. “We can’t help it. We’ve evolved.”
“And the world is better for it,” Jasper said, his gaze still on Garrick. “Is that you avoiding what’s on your mind or do you really not want to talk about it?”
“Aren’t those the same things?” Garrick asked, his tone light as he considered the question. He drew in a breath. “Wynn wants more kids.”
Jasper surprised him by smiling. “Good for her. I’m glad she got there.”
Got there? Why would Jasper put it that way? But as soon as he asked the question, he realized he knew the answer. Wynn and Jasper had dated for a couple of years. They’d broken up about the time Garrick had moved back to Happily Inc, so he’d never seen them together, but they’d been a thing.
He found himself wanting to stand up and challenge his friend. The need was accompanied by a jolt of jealousy and he ignored both. Whatever had happened was long done. Jasper was married to Renee, and Wynn was obviously not longing for the other man. But the surge of emotion was unexpected.
“Kids are great,” Cade said. “But your daughter is grown. Are you done with that part of your life?” He held up a hand. “Or are we assuming too much about your relationship with Wynn?”
Jasper nodded, but didn’t speak, leaving Garrick to figure out what he wanted to say.
“I don’t know,” he admitted. “About kids. I never thought about it. Joylyn’s all grown up.”
But he’d enjoyed all the stages of her life,