“He’s being…weird. He’s being really nice.”

“I heard,” Jared frowned, sitting beside me.

“He’s up to something,” I grimaced.

Jared watched me for a moment and smiled. “I can’t say I blame him. I’ve been in his shoes, and I can testify that it’s torture being in love with you and seeing you with someone else. I don’t take a single second with you for granted.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “Okay, now you’re up to something.”

Jared laughed and shook his head. “Ryan is working overtime to win you over. I’m just doing everything I can to keep you. You can’t begrudge me that.”

“You don’t have anything to worry about. I’ve always been yours.”

Jared took my hand and kissed my new ring, content. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

As the evening approached, I grew increasingly nervous. Jared reassured me that Lillian was very fond of me, but it didn’t help to calm my fears.

As soon as we walked in, the wonderful smell from my childhood saturated my senses. Jared’s mother greeted us in the foyer and I grinned how much Jared looked like her. She hadn’t changed, only this time in a sage green apron. Her long blonde hair caressed her shoulders, and her wide, blue-grey eyes wrinkled with her broad smile. She approached me with open arms.

“Nina! Nina…it’s so good to see you, honey. We’ve been waiting for you for a long time.” She hugged me tightly, and then pulled Jared in to kiss his cheek. The plant Jared held caught her eye. “This is for me?”

“Nina insisted we bring you something. I tried to tell her the poor thing would be dead in a week.”

“Oh! Jared…you’re so silly,” she giggled, lightly smacking his shoulder.

I could see why an angel would fall in love with her. She was a beacon of light, and love seemed to pour from her every word.

“Come in! Come and sit, dinner is almost ready,” she said, carrying the small plant with her.

Bex’s eyes brightened as he stood to greet me.

Jared gestured to the boy. “Nina, this is my little brother, Bex. Bex, this is Nina Grey.”

“Nice to meet you,” Bex said, surprising me with a hug. His blonde hair was nearly white, and his big, blue-grey eyes matched his freshly ironed shirt. Even at eleven, his muscles were already well on their way to his older brother’s size, and he was almost as tall as I. Jared watched me with adoration as I hugged his brother. Bex pulled out my chair and I smiled appreciatively before taking a seat.

I caught Claire rolling her eyes and Jared cleared his throat.