Perfect.
When he released my lips, he whispered, “Good morning.”
Chapter Thirteen
If it was finally our time, why was it so hard to be with Fisher? Did our time have to include him losing his memories of me? Did it have to include a fiancée?
It definitely didn’t have to include an invitation to his dad’s birthday party. A party at his parents’ house. A party with Angie on the invitation list. Yet … it did.
“I don’t think I’m going.” I sulked into the living room, wearing old sweats, my hair in need of a comb.
“Are you not feeling well?” Rory asked.
Rose pressed her hand to my forehead. “No fever. You can go.”
“That’s not an accurate way to take someone’s temperature.” I frowned.
“She doesn’t have to go.” Rory finished wrapping Pat’s gift from us.
I stuck my tongue out at Rose. She grinned and shook her head. I knew she only wanted me to go so I’d see Fisher and Angie in their element, surrounded by his family. A huge Team Angie party. But Rose didn’t know about the two—scratch that—three kisses. The underdog was making progress. And I was doing it without telling Fisher about our past. I wasn’t only playing fairly; I was playing with one hand zip-tied behind my back.
“I think Laurie is going to get Fisher to commit to sticking with the wedding date. June third.” Rose gave me a tight grin, baiting me.
“Oh, I wasn’t sure it was even still an option. So they’re dating, but officially still engaged?” Rory asked.
I shared her surprised sentiment. “I’ll shower.” I grinned at Rose. “Give me twenty minutes.”
She glanced at her watch. “Fifteen.”
I got ready in thirteen minutes and a few seconds, saving my makeup for the car ride.
When we pulled into their big driveway, there must have been ten other cars there. It was more than family. I wasn’t sure how that would play out for me. Would they all be friends who knew Angie? Probably.
One of the grandkids let us into the house filled with people. It was a cooler fall day in the foothills, so it forced the festivities inside.
“Welcome!” Laurie greeted us. “So glad you made it. There’s a table for cards and gifts over there. Don’t forget to sign the guest book. And help yourself to food in the dining room. Games and more seating downstairs. I don’t know where Pat disappeared to, but you’ll find him somewhere.”
I followed Rose and Rory like a shadow to the gift table. To the kitchen. In line for food in the dining room.
“Hey!” Angie appeared in tight black pants and a white sweater. Her curly black hair was softened into big curls. Perfect nails and makeup.
“Hi, hon.” Rory hugged her. “You good?”
She nodded. “I really am. Things are going well. I think this party is exactly what I need, what we need.” She glanced around. “Where’d Fisher go? He’s probably in the garage trying to cut off his cast. He’s been so unruly about it lately. It comes off Monday.”
Angie nodded to my shoes. “Cute shoes, Reese. You always look so adorable.”
I grinned without showing any teeth. Adorable. Exactly what I was going for.
Angie tootled away, the glowing bride-to-be. It had been forty-eight hours since I’d seen Fisher. Did something happen? Did he get his memory back?
We filled our plates with food and cake. We found Pat and wished him happy birthday, and I broke away from my mom and Rose, sneaking downstairs with the kids. All the kids.