Page 115 of Hope After Loss

“I think so. I mean, it’s betraying himself. Isn’t that just as bad?”

“I’m gonna say no. It’s bad, but not as bad as if she knew how he felt,” Brandee declares.

“We’re getting off topic, ladies. Weston here likes Anna. Are we for or against him continuing to bed other women? A show of hands for those against,” Erin shouts.

They all raise their hands.

“Okay. So, there you have it. If you want to pursue our friend, you’d better keep your ding-a-ling to yourself. If we catch you passing it around, one of us is going to twist it off. Got it?” she asks.

“Good talk. This was helpful. Thanks.”

Here I thought, they’d be more insightful than my brothers.

I start walking them toward the door when Maxi grabs my elbow.

“We’re just yanking your chain. Come sit down.”

I do as she said, and the four of them bring their eyes to me.

“Look, ladies, my intentions are honorable. I promise. Although my thoughts might be filthy.”

Erin waves my comment off. “A man can’t change overnight, I suppose. I’m sure her thoughts get a bit dirty from time to time too. It’s natural.”

“In all seriousness, your reputation isn’t one of a man looking for anything other than a good time. If that’s changed, then it’s going to take a bit of work to convince Anna,” Maxi states.

“I’m listening.”

“I was the same as you. I wasn’t interested in anything beyond sex until Corbin and the rest of you wormed your way into my heart.”

“Against her will,” Erin interjects.

“A little bit, yeah. But the key was consistency. Just be there. Show up for her and Kaela. Show her with your actions, not your words. She needs to see what they mean to you,” Maxi continues.

“I’m not exactly good at showing.”

“Sure you are. I’ve seen you with that baby. The way you look at her. The way you make her smile.”

“That’s easy. She’s precious.”

“And so is her mother. So, do the same for her. Let her see how you feel in the way you look at her. Do whatever it takes to make her smile,” Maxi suggests.

“And keep your pants on,” Erin demands.

“I can do that.”

“Good. And I’ll do the best I can to keep Corbin and the rest of the guys down at the firehouse from kicking your ass,” Maxi offers.

“Thanks.”

Anna

“Ithink you should let me take you out on a real date.”

“Really?”

We started the night at Ansley’s café. She requested the bachelorette party consist of all of us having cocktails and enjoying a girls’ night in. However, Erin and Jena couldn’t let her say good-bye to singlehood without a little flair, so they had a few surprises up their sleeves. Chaos ensued, and that led us here, at the brewery with the boys.

Weston leans in and asks again, “Come on, Anna. Let me wine and dine you.”