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My attention drops to his left leg. He isn’t wearing a brace, but I haven’t seen him walk yet. I don’t know if he’s still limping or if his injury still sits between us like a third-act breakup.
“How’s the knee?”
“It’s better.” He takes a step closer, pushing another strand of hair behind my ear.
We’re standing so close now; my chin is forced up to maintain our connection. His breath skates across my face, and I can feel the heat of his body through my dress.
“I’ve missed you,” I confess before I can stop myself.
“I’ve missed you,” he responds without hesitation. He glances away before looking back again, like he’s searching for the right words. “I don’t like the way we left things.”
“Neither do I.”
“Hi, Ollie,” my mother suddenly says from behind me.
I automatically take a step back from him to create some space. Celeste and Brent are standing there with their arms around each other. I didn’t hear them approaching. Eyes like mine shift between Ollie and me with a small wrinkle between them as my mom tries to decipher what exactly is going on between us. If I figure it out myself, I might tell her someday.
“Ollie, this is Brent … my husband.” She glances up at her groom with an affectionate smile. “Brent, this is Ollie, Oakley’s brother.”
They shake hands as Brent lights up even more. “Ah, you’re the hockey player!”
It doesn’t surprise me that Celeste has told Brent all about Ollie and Oakley. They’ve been a big part of our lives for as long as I can remember.
“I’ve been known to play.” Ollie chuckles good-naturedly, pulling his palm away. He’s used to the attention even if he’s not entirely comfortable with it. “Are you a hockey fan?”
“Not really,” Brent admits. “But I bet I’ll become one. Celeste plans to watch every one of your games.”
“I’ll make a fan out of him yet,” my mom says, squeezing Brent closer.
Brent leans down to give my mom a chaste kiss. They’re sweet together. He seems almost protective of her. I like it.
“I think we’d better make an appearance.” Brent nods toward the tent. He turns to me. “We’ll see you in there?”
“We’re right behind you,” I promise.
They smile at us as we watch them walk away.
“He seems nice,” Ollie observes when they’re out of earshot.
“He is,” I admit. “He softens her somehow. I wasn’t expecting that.”
“She seems happy.”
“They are happy,” I answer with a grin, thinking that maybe my mom finally got it right this time. I’ll stay cautiously optimistic.
The band announces the arrival of the bride and groom, and the small crowd erupts.
Ollie slides his hand down my arm until he’s lacing our fingers together. The move is so natural and normal. It feels right. “Shall we?”
My skin is on fire everywhere we’re touching.
I nod. “Let’s go.”
We walk hand in hand over the uneven ground of the park. I notice that Ollie’s gait is normal.
“No limp?” I observe.
“Nope,” he confirms. “Better every day.”
