Page 72 of Seein’ Red

NASH

There’s something about “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” that makes every woman I know lose her mind.

Willa, Kenzie, Sylvie, and Bronwyn are no exception.

I will never understand what it is about this song that has this effect. Maybe there’s something about my Y chromosome that negates my ability to understand it. What I can do is enjoy the show each of these women—plus every other woman in the place, my own mother included—puts on as they scream at the top of their lungs, prancing around the dance floor.

Glancing around the room, I take in the scene. Ken Noble, Auggie Hayes, Jerry Forde, and my dad, Jack, standing at the end of the bar with Dustin, no doubt telling him how proud they are of him and happy they are for him and Kenzie. Camden is at a table with Mrs. Burch, who is prattling on about something, even though it’s obvious Camden isn’t listening. His eyes are locked on Sylvie out on the dance floor.

Kenzie’s cousins, Atlas, Ezra, Landon, and Zachary, as well as Willa’s six older brothers are spread around the tent, mixing and mingling with everyone. Landon appears to have been cornered by the Chamberlains and is in need of a rescue. A job I am not volunteering for.

I turn to my left, smirking at my twin, who is slowly sipping whatever his non-alcoholic drink of choice is tonight, staring straight ahead.

“Damn good view,” I comment, turning mine back to where his is. Well, almost. Bronwyn is great and all, but I only have eyes for the tall blonde beauty next to her.

“It is. Will be better when Bronwyn’s in white.”

I throw my head back in a laugh, unable to hold back. We all knew that when my brother fell, it would be so hard he left a crater in the ground. And damn, were we right. I’m happy that she fell just as hard.

“And Willa,” I add.

It’s a bold statement to say out loud, much less with so many potential witnesses. But I couldn’t give two shits about that. Hell, at this point, I’m not sure I care who hears me.

“How’s she feeling?”

“Better. Stomach’s been calmer the last couple of days, which is a huge improvement. Her heart…” I trail off, not quite sure how to qualify it.

“Still a little unsure?”

“It’s still a lot unsure. She’s freaked out, which I get, because fuck, man, so am I. Being a dad was supposed to be a someday thing, you know?”

“Someday just came sooner than you thought, that’s all.”

“It did.” I sigh. “There’s zero doubt in my mind though that she’s the person I want to be doing this with. My bigger worry is that she’s not as sure that I’m the person she wants to do it with.”

“Did you tell her that?”

“Not in so many words. We're working toward it.”

Noel shakes his head. “Can I give you some advice Mama gave me about Bronwyn?”

“Sure…”

“Use your words, dumbass.”

“Mama did not say dumbass!”

“No, I added that part. I’m not wrong.”

No, he’s not wrong. I have been a dumbass. For a lot of years. Not anymore though.

“I will, when the time is right.”

I look back out at the girls, their bright, beaming smiles making my heart clench. Even from here though, I can see the tiredness in Willa’s eyes. She’s been dancing all night and hasn’t taken a break in a while. She needs one. And I know just how to tempt her.

“I’m gonna grab more cake, you want?”

Noel shakes his head, not bothering to look at me. Yeah, he’s ass over tea kettle for Bee. Just the way it should be.