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.
We sit and watch the women and kids for a few more minutes. Gray’s pretty much been stuck to Jenna’s side the entire time. When he picks a flower and hands it to her, Bryant laughs low.
“Looks like I might have some competition there,” he says, jutting his chin to the pair.
I let out a small laugh. “The boy’s always had a crush on Jenna. Even when he was a toddler, he’d follow her around everywhere.”
Jenna leans over and kisses his cheek as she thanks him for the flower.
Bryant grins. “Well, it’s a good thing she’s already accepted my ring. He may have stolen her away when he was old enough.”
I laugh again and shake my head.
Molly gets up, and she and Jenna walk our way carrying the small buckets with barberries. They get plopped down on the table. Before Molly can take a seat in the chair beside me, I pull her down on my lap.
“Having fun, baby?”
She pecks my lips. “Absolutely.”
Jenna takes the seat on the other side of Bryant, and he immediately grabs her hand, lifting the back of it to his lips.
“Is there anything I need to worry about with you and Gray?” he asks, his eyes dancing.
She giggles, then reaches over to pat his cheek. “You treat me right and you’ve got no worries. If not, I may have to go search for a gray-eyed, thirteen-year-old boy to replace you.”
We all laugh and settle back, watching as the kids play the last few minutes before the sun sets.
“I’ve got news,” Bryant announces a few minutes later. Once he has Jenna’s attention, he continues. “Remember a while back when I told you Brushay Inc. was putting in a new massive office building out east?”
Her brows pull together for a moment. “Yeah,” she says slowly. “I believe I remember you mentioning it. You said they were taking a few people from your office and sending them to the new one.”
He sits up, leaning toward her. “It’s in New York City.” Her brows go up. “And they want me to be the new financial manager there.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yeah.” He smiles. “What do you say to moving back this way?”
Her smile starts out slow, but then engulfs her whole face. Her eyes move to Molly for a moment, before going back to Bryant.
“I say when do we start packing?” she answers.
Bryant laughs and palms the back of her head to plant a kiss against her lips. “Not sure on when yet, but it should be fairly soon.”
“The sooner the better.”
I glance up at Molly and see her focus on the two of them, her beautiful smile in place. Sensing my attention is on her, she looks down.
“You doing okay?” I ask gently, pushing a few strands from her cheek.
“I am.” She slides her