“Finn, apologize to her now.” Bran’s expression went stern. “She doesn’t know you were making a jab at me.”
Finn caught his breath, wiping his tear-filled eyes. “I’m sorry, Ellery. I really am. It’s just that Bran had turned into a complete recluse a few years ago, and I can’t pass up an opportunity to tease him.”
“So you weren’t questioning Logan’s abilities?” Ellery tried to hold onto her anger, but found it difficult to do when even Bran succumbed to Finn’s contagious chuckles.
“No, I promise. I like Logan.” Finn grinned. “Bran and Jarrett have taught me to tolerate introverts.”
“And Finn has taught me to ignore most of what he says. That’s a pretty good lesson to remember.” Bran’s smile softened the jab, and Ellery found herself relaxing even more. Their exchange reminded her of similar ones she’d had with Kara.
“When are you and Logan getting hitched?” Finn asked.
Ellery sucked in a breath, almost choking.
“We’re not! Logan and I have only been dating a few months, but it’s nothing serious.”
“Sorry. From the way he talked, I thought you’d been together a long time.” Finn’s genuinely apologetic expression did nothing to slow her racing heart. “I only assumed since we did stipulate this event was only for spouses and very significant others.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Bran said. “We won’t be forcing you to get engaged just because you came here with Logan.”
“No, we wouldn’t do that.” Finn flashed a crooked smile. “But I can’t say the same for our wives.”
“Are you talking about me, Finn Anderson?” Laurie’s dark, tight curls bobbed as she stood up across the table. “Can’t you behave yourself for one minute like I asked you to?”
“I did behave,” Finn retorted. “But you didn’t specify, so I behaved badly.”
Laurie came around and tugged Finn out of his seat. “Go. Get out of here before you scare her away.”
“Looks like I’m in trouble again,” said Finn. But the sweet kiss he planted on the corner of Laurie’s upturned mouth revealed a different story.
“You should go, too,” Laurie told Bran. “Trade places with Rylie. Hey, Rylie, get over here.”
The two obediently traded places, and Ellery barely kept her jaw off the floor.
“It’s not what it looks like,” Laurie told Ellery. “This whole crew is even more stubborn than I am bossy. So they only comply when they feel like it.”
“I believe you,” said Ellery, though she had her doubts.
Rylie took Bran’s seat and leaned in to whisper, “Okay, what did I miss? Laurie, are we planning something for the guys’ birthdays this year?”
“Wouldn’t miss a chance to celebrate another year,” said Laurie, some of the twinkle leaving her eyes as she turned to Ellery. “Finn’s cystic fibrosis doesn’t promise him a long life span, so every birthday is a big deal.”
Ellery’s throat grew thick, and she couldn’t think of an appropriate response.
“It could also be true for Jarrett,” Rylie added, blinking rapidly. “He refuses to talk about it, but the cancer that took his leg could come back any time. So Laurie and I decided to celebrate their birthdays together every year since they’re only a month apart.”
So Jarrett was missing a leg. Ellery hadn’t noticed, but then again he’d been sitting down the entire time.
“I know it’s wrong, but I’ve had a pretty bad attitude about birthdays the last two years.” Moved by their vulnerability, Ellery felt compelled to explain. She pointed to the scar on her face. “The accident that did this to me also took my family.”
Identical horrified expressions jumped onto their faces. She shouldn’t have shared. Now she would have to endure their pity.
“Honey.” Laurie’s brows bent. “Don’t let anybody tell you how you should feel. Every person on this planet has a burden to bear. A private grief no one knows. You handle it as best you can and stop judging yourself. Lord knows none of us have the right to judge.”
Surprised, she was momentarily speechless. After two years of feeling shame that she wasn’t coping well, this woman had simply absolved her of all guilt. Was it really that simple?
She felt a hand pat her knee and looked up into Rylie’s watery eyes. “You’re living my greatest fear right now. My son is a leukemia survivor. I can’t imagine what I’d do if I lost him or my husband to cancer. So you sure won’t get any judgment from me.”
Ellery nodded, particularly glad she hadn’t mentioned losing her twin in the accident. Since Rylie had a twin sister, that news would probably have torn her up.
“On a happier note,” said Laurie, “your Logan is quite a hottie. I’ve seen several ladies looking his way. Glad you’re here so they know he’s not available.”
Ellery started to protest, but thought better of it. She didn’t particularly like the idea of the ladies here being “all over” Logan, even if they might’ve been better suited as his partner.
“But he’s not as hot as my guy.” Laurie raised her voice. “Right, honey?”
“Whomever you’re currently comparing to me, the poor soul has my utmost sympathy,” Finn said, puffing out his chest.
As laughter broke out around the table, Logan’s eyes caught hers. She nodded to answer the question she read there. Yes, I’m fine.
Her heart gave a little twinge that Logan was worried about her at a crucial time like this. He’d taken time out of his conversation with Jarrett and Cole to check on her. The man really was too sweet for his own good. He might fit in better with Allegra and her crowd according to his wealth and social status, but if he weren’t careful, they would eat him for lunch. She probably shouldn’t end the relationship too quickly. She had a lot of work to do to toughen him up before he moved on to his destiny—a life far away from her.
CHAPTER 16
Logan found his gaze wandering repeatedly to Ellery, along with his attention. From his perspective the scar on her face was clearly visible. Funny how he didn’t notice it anymore when they were alone together. She was beautiful. End of story. He often forgot there was anything unusual about her appearance, even though he’d made a thoughtless comment the first time they’d met.
Knowing she was still self-conscious about it made him hyper-sensitive to the occasional second glances sent her way. Did she notice them, too? Would anyone else make the same mistake he’d made? Was she suffering again because he’d dragged her to another function to put himself more at ease? How had he gotten so caught up in his own social discomfort that he convinced himself this wouldn’t be awkward for her?
