only been dating a few months, but it’s nothing serious.”
“Sorry. From the way he talked, I thought you’d been together a long time.” Finn’s genuinely apologetic expression did nothing to slow her racing heart. “I only assumed since we did stipulate this event was only for spouses and very significant others.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Bran said. “We won’t be forcing you to get engaged just because you came here with Logan.”
“No, we wouldn’t do that.” Finn flashed a crooked smile. “But I can’t say the same for our wives.”
“Are you talking about me, Finn Anderson?” Laurie’s dark, tight curls bobbed as she stood up across the table. “Can’t you behave yourself for one minute like I asked you to?”
“I did behave,” Finn retorted. “But you didn’t specify, so I behaved badly.”
Laurie came around and tugged Finn out of his seat. “Go. Get out of here before you scare her away.”
“Looks like I’m in trouble again,” said Finn. But the sweet kiss he planted on the corner of Laurie’s upturned mouth revealed a different story.
“You should go, too,” Laurie told Bran. “Trade places with Rylie. Hey, Rylie, get over here.”
The two obediently traded places, and Ellery barely kept her jaw off the floor.
“It’s not what it looks like,” Laurie told Ellery. “This whole crew is even more stubborn than I am bossy. So they only comply when they feel like it.”
“I believe you,” said Ellery, though she had her doubts.
Rylie took Bran’s seat and leaned in to whisper, “Okay, what did I miss? Laurie, are we planning something for the guys’ birthdays this year?”
“Wouldn’t miss a chance to celebrate another year,” said Laurie, some of the twinkle leaving her eyes as she turned to Ellery. “Finn’s cystic fibrosis doesn’t promise him a long life span, so every birthday is a big deal.”
Ellery’s throat grew thick, and she couldn’t think of an appropriate response.
“It could also be true for Jarrett,” Rylie added, blinking rapidly. “He refuses to talk about it, but the cancer that took his leg could come back any time. So Laurie and I decided to celebrate their birthdays together every year since they’re only a month apart.”
So Jarrett was missing a leg. Ellery hadn’t noticed, but then again he’d been sitting down the entire time.
“I know it’s wrong, but I’ve had a pretty bad attitude about birthdays the last two years.” Moved by their vulnerability, Ellery felt compelled to explain. She pointed to the scar on her face. “The accident that did this to me also took my family.”
Identical horrified expressions jumped onto their faces. She shouldn’t have shared. Now she would have to endure their pity.
“Honey.” Laurie’s brows bent. “Don’t let anybody tell you how you should feel. Every person on this planet has a burden to bear. A private grief no one knows. You handle it as best you can and stop judging yourself. Lord knows none of us have the right to judge.”
Surprised, she was momentarily speechless. After two years of feeling shame that she wasn’t coping well, this woman had simply absolved her of all guilt. Was it really that simple?
She felt a hand pat her knee and looked up into Rylie’s watery eyes. “You’re living my greatest fear right now. My son is a leukemia survivor. I can’t imagine what I’d do if I lost him or my husband to cancer. So you sure won’t get any judgment from me.”
Ellery nodded, particularly glad she hadn’t mentioned losing her twin in the accident. Since Rylie had a twin sister, that news would probably have torn her up.
“On a happier note,” said Laurie, “your Logan is quite a hottie. I’ve seen several ladies looking his way. Glad you’re here so they know he’s not available.”
Ellery started to protest, but thought better of it. She didn’t particularly like the idea of the ladies here being “all over” Logan, even if they might’ve been better suited as his partner.
“But he’s not as hot as my guy.” Laurie raised her voice. “Right, honey?”
“Whomever you’re currently comparing to me, the poor soul has my utmost sympathy,” Finn said, puffing out his chest.
As laughter broke out around the table, Logan’s eyes caught hers. She nodded to answer the question she read there. Yes, I’m fine.
Her heart gave a little twinge that Logan was worried about her at a crucial time like this. He’d taken time out of his conversation with Jarrett and Cole to check on her. The man really was too sweet for his own good. He might fit in