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“Surely my divorce filing is still going to come out—”

“So what? You were just making an emotional attempt to help fulfill her dying wish.”

Wes couldn’t believe he was listening. Considering. He couldn’t believe that his pulse was picking up speed and his imagination

was running away with him. Wray had given him a choice. He knew he should be grateful—he was grateful, for what he knew was her heart behind it, if nothing else—but everything had sure seemed a lot simpler when there

were no options.

He needed to talk to Addie. And his heart beat even faster at the realization that Addie was in his life. Once again, after

so long, Addie could be the person he talked to. He wouldn’t make the same mistake he’d made twenty-two years ago. He wouldn’t

try to figure it out on his own. Never again.

“I really appreciate this, Sebastian.” He lifted from his chair and stretched out his arm. “Truly.”

“Of course.” Sebastian stood and shook his hand. “And whatever you decide, I will happily sit down for an interview. It’s an interesting story either way.”

Wes punched him on the arm as he passed, headed to the door. Sebastian stopped him before he got there.

“Hey, Senator? Can I ask you one more question? Still off the record?”

Wes turned to face him. “Sure.”

“What’s the status with you and Addie? I know there’s a lot of history there. And based on the buzz at the Bean this morning...”

He whistled through his teeth. “That’s how you get the Pulitzers, huh? Go straight for the jugular?”

Sebastian laughed and raised his hands in front of him. “If it’s too personal...”

“It’s not that. I’m just honestly not too sure yet.” Wes shrugged, then coughed to clear away the lump that formed in his

throat at the sudden composure-threatening memory of her legs wrapped around him. “We’ve definitely made progress.”

“Got it.” Sebastian downed the last drop of his coffee, then picked up his cup and Wes’s and began walking them behind the

bar. “You know, the thought does occur... Second chance with a childhood sweetheart... dedicated public servant...

air force veteran... young widow of another dedicated public servant...” He stacked the cups in the bin and shrugged.

“Sounds like the stuff of which First Lady dreams are made,” Cole said as he came out of the kitchen, wiping his hands on

a towel and then throwing the towel over his shoulder. Wes and Sebastian turned and looked at him in surprise, and Cole raised

his hands in front of him. “Sorry, wasn’t eavesdropping. I didn’t hear anything before ten seconds ago. But it wasn’t difficult

to get the gist of what was being said.”

“Well, don’t worry. We’re a long way from even thinking about any of that.

” That was the right thing to say, he was pretty sure.

At least to Cole. Even if the reality was that now that the seed of a thought had been planted, he might have difficulty remembering how to think about anything else.

“Thanks again, Sebastian. We’ll talk soon.

” He nodded his head toward Cole. “See you, man.”

“Hey, before you go... I want to apologize. For last night, I mean.”

“For what?” Wes shook his head. “No, you don’t owe me any apologies. I really appreciate you being willing to—”

“No, listen, Wes.” Cole came around from behind the bar and stood between Wes and Sebastian. “This one... I mean, you . This one’s tricky. For me. You know? It, um...” He ran his hands through his hair, then leaned up against the bar. “It

might take me a little time. Okay? But Seb reminded me of something I said when Brynn came back.” Cole stared at the floor

for a moment and then looked up at Sebastian. “I forgot what it was.” He turned to Wes. “Which is a shame, because I’ve apparently

gotten pretty eloquent in my old age.”

“He said that you don’t refuse to take a chance on the people you love just because there might be some pain involved.”

Cole nodded at Sebastian. “That’s right. That was it.”

Wes cleared his throat. “Darn near poetic.”

“It was, wasn’t it?” Cole smiled at Wes as their eyes met. “So yeah, things turned out okay with Brynn. And the fact is, you’re

my family every bit as much as she is. I’m willing to take a chance.” He pushed himself off the bar and stretched his arm

toward Wes.

Wes took Cole’s offered hand and shook it. “I can’t ask for more than that. Thank you.”

Sebastian came up between them as they shook hands and placed an arm on each of their shoulders. “You know what? I think I

know the perfect way to commemorate this beautiful moment.”

Wes looked to him with curiosity, but Cole groaned and pulled away. “Don’t fall for it, Wes.” He looked at his watch and then

walked to the door and unlocked it. “He’s going to suggest—”

“Karaoke,” Sebastian said, in unison with Cole. “What do you say, Senator? A little ‘Delta Dawn,’ perhaps?”

Wes turned to Cole with a furrowed brow and chuckled. “I guess I don’t get the joke.”

“Oh, if only he were joking,” Cole said before patting Wes on the shoulder and calling out, “Welcome home, pal,” as he headed

back to the kitchen.