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A second later, Pie appears, mugs in hand. She hands one over with that secret smile.
“Thanks.”
“Breakfast will be ready in a few.”
“Now we’re talking,” Brandt grumbles and heads inside.
“Can’t wait,” her father says. There’s something in his voice I can’t quite put my finger on, which is odd. I thought there wasn’t anything—Well, that’s a lie now, isn’t it? There are things unsaid between us.
Like how over the moon I am for his daughter.
I take a sip, shifting my weight as I look at the view. Seems like yesterday we were nailing these boards down. Joshua and Madeline were barely married then. The squeak as I move is familiar. Safe. And yet. . .
“So it’s like that, is it?” my best friend asks, his tone both fatherly and amused.
I glance at him. He’s staring at me with a questioning expression that puts me on edge. A tendril of anxiety sweeps over my skin, but now that I’ve admitted the truth to myself, there’s no going back.
“I knew it!” Comes the roar from inside the house. Even through the walls, I hear Madeline tell her son to shush.
Out here in the cold air, Joshua’s lips twitch.
“It’s like what?” I ask, wanting to make sure we’re on the same page. I keep an ear toward the house because I apparently hate being away from Piper for even a few minutes.
Joshua pushes to his feet and faces me. My muscles tighten, ready should he decide to take a swing.
“You and Piper.”
His dark brown gaze is steady and unwavering as he watches me. I don’t know what he’s looking for. But I know what I’d want to hear if I were in his shoes.
“I love her.”
“I know.”
“I’m in love with her,” I say carefully.
He nods. I wait for an outburst. A demand to get off his porch, off his land, and never come back. My old demons whisper that I’m the worst sort of man as I wait for my lifelong friend to echo that sentiment. My chest tightens, my heart thundering against my ribs, pulse pounding through my veins.
“Good.”
My knees give, and I catch myself against the back of a rocking chair.
The front door slams open, and Brandt barrels out. “About time, man. About freaking time. I was about to lose!”
“Lose?”
Madeline appears at the door, Pie just behind her. “Come back and sit down. The bacon is almost done.”
Brandt bounds off, and I turn back to Joshua, perplexed. Isn’t he going to yell at me? Do something? Why is he so calm?
“Good?” I query.
He takes another hearty sip from his mug, and I feel like he’s making me sweat on purpose. Truthfully though, if Pie and I are lucky enough to have a daughter, I’d do the same thing.
“Good,” he repeats, starting toward me. I back up a few steps. “You need a good woman. And she needs a good man. Can’t think of anyone better than you. Someone who won’t play with her heart—”
“Never.”
He nods again.
