All Work and No Play
Tiffany
Eight Months Later…
After the country club event, I haven’t heard a word from my father or Alex. Granted, I did change my phone number, but no one has shown up to try to talk to me.
Elodie’s divorce is final. She moved out of her mom’s house, and now she and Josie live within walking distance from my condo in a charming, little house that feels like it was made for them. Things are falling into place for both of us. Our friendship is rock solid, something I find to be important in my life. I didn’t miss having friends until I realized what it is to have them.
We are playing spa at her house, letting Josie paint our toenails, when my phone chimes with a text from Maggie.
Wanna go to the beach house next weekend with us?
“Maggie is inviting me to their family beach house next weekend. What should I say?” I ask Elodie.
“Duh, the answer is yes. Yes, I will go to the beach house and please make sure your superhot brother is there so I can have some ‘quality time’ with him.” She giggles.
“I don’t know, El. I haven’t seen him in over a year. What if he doesn’t want me there? Besides, he isn’t the one inviting me. Maggie is.”
I have seen Maggie a few times when she’s hired us for events, but I don’t know about being around Harrison. We talk almost daily, yet he never invites me to visit. Maybe he doesn’t want to see me.
My phone chimes with another text alert.
Pls, I wanna c u. Kenna is coming, 2. It’s 4 Harry’s birthday. It’s a surprise, and everyone is coming, so don’t tell him. He thinks it’s just for the family. Pls come.
“It’s for his birthday,” I tell her. “Should I go? Everyone is going to surprise him. Do I fit in with everyone? Like, do I belong there?”
“Oh, honey, please. They wouldn’t ask you if you didn’t belong. They want you there; he wants you there, whether he has said so or not; and you want to be there. Go. What’s there to lose?”
Ok, I manage to reply with my now shaking fingers.
Eeeeeekkkk! U being there will b the best present of all. Thx! Ur the best.
The look on my face must show my insecurities because Elodie laughs.
“Relax, Tiff. All work and no play makes for a cranky friend. You’ve been going through the motions, but it’s time to live again. Worst case scenario: you’re at the beach, hanging out with Maggie and Kenna.” Elodie’s words sooth my nerves.
The days fly by, and the beach weekend arrives before I know it. I’m packed and on the road, wondering what Harrison will say when he sees me. Will he have a girl with him? I know Sophia ended things, and even when he tried to call her, she refused to speak to him about any of it. Eventually, he quit calling and accepted it. Since it’s been months now, he’s moved on most likely, right?
***
Harrison
“Hell no! I’m not going.” I’m trying to get my point across to my bull-headed brother-in-law.
“Lawson, your parents are expecting us. You can’t say no.”
“I said no a week ago, but no one listened. I don’t want to go to the beach house this weekend. Fuck off.” My anger is beginning to build.
“Chill the fuck out. Dina and I are taking Lauren. You don’t want to miss out on Lauren’s first time in the sand and water, do you, Uncle Harry?” Ryder smirks.
“Shit, that’s low,” I reply, shaking my head. I can’t resist that little girl. She has my heart. “Fine, fuck, fine, I’ll go. It’s bullshit you used a baby against me, dammit. I better be the first one to build a sandcastle for her to crush.” Yes, that baby has me whipped. I will fight these boys to be the first one to give her something to make her smile.
Leaving the shop early, I go home to pack a quick bag and hit the road. I call Tiffany on the way, but she doesn’t answer. I miss her. She has her life established now, and I don’t want to intrude, but it would be fun to have her at the beach house with me now that she’s comfortable with everyone.
She and my mom share recipes and talk regularly. And I don’t think she goes more than a day without some sort of text conversation with Maggie—those two can be as thick as thieves. Maggie has even taken on extra events down that way for an excuse to go hang out with her.
Even my brother Cory likes Tiffany. He vacationed in Augusta, Georgia recently while Maggie was visiting Tiffany, and they both went and met him for lunch.
I never thought she would fit in with my family after I brought her home before, yet here we are, and she’s as much a part of our family as Dina, Ryder, Brayden, Jake, and Kenna. We may not all be blood, but we are family.
Pulling up to my parents’ home, I’m lost in my own thoughts. As a result, I don’t even notice the familiar car parked a driveway over. I walk in, immediately heading for the kitchen, not remotely prepared for the sight before me.
Tiffany has her back to me, standing side by side with my mom and sister in front of the stove as they prep food for tonight’s meal. My instinct is to go behind her, wrap my arms around her, and pull her to me, but I control myself.
“Damn, something smells good,” I say, drawing their attention.
Tiffany is the first to turn around, and without a second thought, she runs over and throws her arms around me. I wasn’t expecting this, but damn, she feels good in my arms.
I pull her tight and whisper in her ear, “This is a pleasant surprise. I wasn’t expecting you. I missed you.”
“It was Maggie’s idea. She wanted to surprise you. I missed you, too,” she replies, burying her head in my chest.
Although my mom clears her throat, waiting for her hug, I don’t want to release Tiffany, so I let go with only one arm, pulling my mom over to my side and kissing her forehead. Maggie follows suit, giggling as she does.
“Do y’all need Tiffany, or can I steal her for a walk down on the beach?” I ask, hoping she’s free to be with me, and I mean that in more ways than one.
“You two go on. Maggie will help me. Have fun, relax.”
Happy birthday to me. Tiffany is here with my family and friends.