Page 102 of The Singles Club

Justin had inherited her hair and eyes, but Gwen’s nose was more petite and her chin more pointed.

“I don’t mind helping. It’s a pleasure.”

She tilted her head and smiled. Lines formed familiarly around her eyes and mouth, as if she laughed often. “Well, aren’t you sweet.” She looped her arm around mine. “You’re shivering. Come on, let’s get you out of the cold.”

I looked back at Justin, who was walking toward the trunk.

Inside the house was warm and cozy, with little Halloween decorations lining the mantel above the fireplace. None of them were scary. There were two grinning ceramic jack-o’-lanterns on the ends and a friendly-looking witch in the center, complete with green and black striped tights and a black pointy hat. Halloween wasn’t for another month, but I guessed she was the type who started everything early. I’d be willing to bet she had already started her Christmas shopping.

“Can I get you something to drink?”

Wine would be so great about now, but it was only afternoon.

“Water or club soda if you have it.”

“Do you like any fruit in your club soda?”

“No, thank you.” I clasped my fingers together, unsure whether I should follow her to the kitchen. I opted to stay in the living room and wait for Justin. My muscles relaxed a little more when he walked through the door.

“Where’s my mom?”

“In the kitchen.”

He placed his hand on the small of my back. “Come on, you should meet my dad.”

Just as we got to the kitchen, a man as tall as Justin with that same incredible jawline walked through the back door.

“Hey, I thought I heard you pull in.” His father held out his arms and gave Justin a genuine hug, not the half-hug my father and Benny would do.

“Dad, this is Vivian.”

“The name’s Chuck.” Thankfully he didn’t hug me but greeted me with a warm smile and rubbed Gwen’s back. “So, you’re the miracle worker who helped put my wife’s mind at ease. Not an easy task.” His hand went lower, and she jumped, smacking his arm.

Did he just grab her ass?

She failed at holding back a smile. “We have a guest. Don’t scare her away yet.”

He totally grabbed her ass.

I couldn’t help but giggle. I liked them.

Gwen handed me my soda. “I was telling Justin that it’s too bad you’re leaving for Paris next weekend. We would have loved to have you at the wedding.”

I sipped my soda, not wanting to think about Paris right now. “Are you doing a vow renewal party or a full-out wedding?”

“Full.” She wrapped her arm around Chuck’s lower back. “We never got to have the wedding we wanted when we first got married, so we promised ourselves we’d do it when we could afford it.”

“Don’t let her fool you,” Chuck said. “I have no say in any of it.”

She playfully narrowed her eyes at him. “If that were true, then you’d let me read your vows.”

“Fat chance.” He kissed the side of her cheek. “You should have at least one surprise on your wedding day.”

“Ourwedding day.”

He looked down at her and caressed her face. The love between them radiated.

I didn’t know couples like that actually existed, especially after this many years of being married. My father and my stepmother got on fine, but I’d never seen them look at each other like that. They sort of did their own things and acted more like friends than anything else. And what I did remember of my mother and father was mostly fighting and resentment. I hated being stuck in the middle, so their divorce was a welcoming relief.