58. Chapter Fifty-Eight #2
The pain in his eyes had me biting my tongue. Liam had clearly ruined a lot more lives than just mine. “Okay.”
He looked past me and then smiled. “Oh! Sunny made zucchini bread.”
The sudden shift in conversation topic made me snicker. “Is that a good thing?”
Lukas nodded emphatically. “She made some the last time I was here, and it was fucking delicious. Honestly, the fact there is some on the counter is kind of a miracle. Do you want a slice? It might not be here later, especially after Gage comes in to get his coffee.”
“Sure.” I chuckled. “That is something else I never thought I’d see.”
Lukas tipped his head to the side. “Me eating bread made of vegetables?”
I gave him a playful shove, making him laugh. “No. I was talking about seeing Gage in a relationship with someone and having a favorite snack. He was always so serious.”
“Yeah, I noticed he’s lighter with her here. Sunny is good for him.”
“Like Ben is good for Lianne and Quinn is good for you?” I smiled as his love for his wife lit up his face.
“I won’t argue with you there.”
“Lukas not arguing? I need to know your secret. That man argues with everyone.”
Lukas let out a sigh and shook his head. “Good morning to you, too, Jess.”
Jessica Barlowe walked out of a distant memory and into the kitchen, chuckling.
“Tell me I’m wrong.” She looked at me and did a double take, her mouth dropping open as she stared at me.
“Holy fuck. Tori?” When I nodded, she looked at Lukas.
“Is she standing there, or am I seeing dead people now?” Before he could respond, Jess’s attention snapped back to me.
“Wait! Wait a damn second! Were you the special delivery that came in yesterday?”
A chuckle bubbled out of me. “I suppose so.” I looked at Lukas. “Is that what the cover story was?”
He shrugged as he walked to the coffeemaker. “I’m not sure who was told what, but it’s not an incorrect description.”
“Fair.”
Jess took another step toward me, eyes wide in disbelief and shining with unshed tears. “You’re really here, standing in front of me?”
I reached out and took her hand in mine. “I’m very much alive and in front of you.”
She took a shaky breath and pulled in for a tight hug. “Holy shit.” After holding me for a second, she leaned back again, looking me over from head to toe. “Damn. You look amazing.”
“Thanks?”
Jess nodded and unceremoniously plopped onto one of the stools. “Where the hell have you been hiding all this time? I knew you weren’t dead!” Her eyes went wide as she gasped. “Wait! Who knows you’re here? Do Liam and Susan even know you’re alive?”
I took a deep breath and let it out slowly as I figured out how to answer her.
“There is a long and very complicated story about where I’ve been.
As for who knows I’m here? Most, if not all, of the people in the house, if I had to guess.
” My breath faltered when I thought about the reactions Liam and Susan would have to this news.
“As for other people in the family… Well…”
“They haven’t been informed.”
I turned and gave Lukas a grateful smile. “No?”
Lukas shook his head. “No. And no one from our crew will be reaching out, either.”
Jess shifted her attention to me again. “I suppose I’m going to have to wait for all the details, then?” When I nodded, she mirrored the action. “Okay. That’s fair. Well, when you’re ready to give me a name or general description, I’m ready to kick an ass. Or asses. I’ve still got your back, Tori.”
My mouth dropped open at her immediate declaration of loyalty. “Well, okay. I’ll add you to the list.”
“You’re already on a list, Renegade? Isn’t it too early in the morning for that?
” A man with dark hair pulled back into a small ponytail came in and gave Jess a kiss on the cheek.
So, this is Connor. I’d only seen pictures of him, but Lukas had spoken highly of the man.
He’s clearly a good one if Lukas and Jess like him.
She gave him a playful glare before wrapping her arm around his waist. “Listen, I’m on this list for good reasons, okay? It's people Tori’s gonna call when she wants help releasing hell on some assholes.”
I took a deep breath as I processed the couple in front of me. “Oh, that’s going to take a minute to get used to.”
Jess furrowed her brows at me. “What is?”
“You without… him.” I didn’t know if saying Ross’s name was good or bad right now.
She gasped slightly as her eyes went wide. “Oh shit. I didn’t even think about that.”
“Think about what?” Connor genuinely looked confused.
Lukas walked over and gave me a comforting smile. “Tori knew Ross. She was around when he introduced Jess to Li… and when Ross and Jess got engaged.”
Connor’s eyebrows went up. “Oh. Wow.”
You can say that again.
Jess reached out and gave my hand a squeeze.
“It took me a while to allow myself not to feel guilty for moving on. There were a lot of heart-to-heart conversations with Ryan and Lianne. Connor, here, has the patience of a saint, can match any pace I set when I run, and can make the most amazing pot of chicken noodle soup. On top of that, he’s a fantastic listener, can handle my sass, and has literally seen me at my worst. I genuinely think Ross picked him out for me. ”
Tears pricked my eyes again as I looked in the direction of the bedroom.
If she can move on…
I shoved the thought aside and smiled at her. “Good. Someone needs to be able to keep up with you and make sure you eat and stay in one piece. You always kept… everyone on their toes.” I stumbled over my words mid-sentence, as I almost mentioned Ross again.
Jess gave my hand a squeeze. “You don’t have to tiptoe around using his name, Tori. No one is going to be upset.”
I chuckled. “Just making sure. I’m so glad Ross introduced you and Lianne. No offense to him or Ryan, but that may have been his greatest contribution to this entire family.”
Lukas grinned. “You know, I want to argue that, but I can’t.”