“There is nothing wrong with anything you just said. Those feelings are normal to have. If anything, it shows how much you love them and this baby.”
“Thanks, Mom.” I should have known a good word-vomit with her would make me feel better. I think my mood is off because Walker didn’t call me yesterday, but I’m not thinking about that right now. Nope.
“You’ll find your soul mate, Natalie. That's how things work around this town.”
Walker comes to mind again, but I push thoughts of him away. I don’t even know what he looks like, so how is he taking up so much headspace? Or popping up when I think of soul mates? He’s annoying and always in my head like an annoying gnat buzzing around. That’s probably why I keep thinking of him. Because he’s like a thorn in my side.
“I could end up like Buck.” I point my finger up to the apartment over Hot Toddy.
“Buck is a rare creature of his own making. No one is like Buck.”
“This is true,” I get out through laughter.
“Natalie!” Bri squeals.
I spin around to see her and my twin, Wilder, with my cousin Connor and his wife behind them. Connor has baby Evan in his arms as they come in, and I see Bri has her hands over her mouth, her eyes filled with surprise and tears.
“You outdid yourself.” Wilder guides his very pregnant wife into the room before he pulls me into a hug. He spins me round a few times then puts me back on my feet. He used to always do that when we were little.
I have no clue how we’re twins. He’s well over six feet where I’m only a few inches over five feet. It’s mainly our hair coloring and eyes that match, along with the one dimple in our left cheeks. We have a right one too, but we have to be smiling hard to get it to appear.
“Is that a wedding cake?” Evie asks.
“Kinda. Wilder loves chocolate cake, and Bri likes vanilla. But who doesn’t want strawberry cake too?” I shrug. “So I had tiers done.”
“You’re brilliant, you know that? I think I married the wrong twin,” Bri teases.
“You’re going to get a spanking,” Wilder growls, making her giggle. He tucks her into his side, whispering something into her ear that has her cheeks turning pink.
Sometimes it’s hard watching them all together. Both Wilder and Connor are so good to their wives, and they’re all madly in love. For so long, it was the three of us kids. Connor lost his parents years ago and felt more like a brother than a cousin. Then over the last year, both of them went and found love. I’m the last one standing, so now I’m the odd one out, and it’s lonely.
“Why don’t we make some plates before everyone gets here?” I suggest.
“Yes!” Bri agrees quickly, making a beeline for the food table where I have platters of treats laid out. Evie and I join her while Mom steals baby Evan and sends the men outside to collect some of the things she brought in her SUV.
“This is your table,” I tell Bri.
I have her set up at the front near the gift table, and we all sit down to dig in. Once people get here, Bri probably won’t have a ton of time to eat; she’ll be talking, and everyone will want her attention.
“I keep meaning to ask you, is that guy still trying to buy the family land?” Evie asks before popping a mini crescent cheese dog into her mouth.
I jerk my head back toward the door, making sure my mom and Wilder or Connor aren’t around. I don’t know why I haven’t told them about it, but it's a moot point really. We’re not selling. I’m in charge of the management of the land, when it comes to the paperwork side of it at least.
“Yes.”
“Really? How long has this been going on?” Bri shoves a giant spoonful of mac and cheese into her mouth.
“The emails started a month ago. Now he’s calling, but I don’t really answer. When I do, it's to give him a piece of my mind and then hang up on him.” I smirk.
He didn’t call yesterday though and he normally calls once a day. Has he given up?
“You okay?” Evie gives me a concerned look, and I realize I’m pouting.
I force a smile and shake my head. “No, I forgot to get me some of the truffle mac and cheese. I’ll be back.” I hop up from my seat, taking my plate with me. Instead of going to get my mac and cheese, I end up next to my purse digging my phone out.
No missed calls.
Even when he’s not calling me, he’s pissing me off. What the heck is wrong with me?