It was still too soon. She and Mick were walking on eggshells around each other right now, mostly due to her own idiocy and blindness.
So yeah, Tara could love Kathleen all she wanted, but that’s not who her primary relationship was with. Maybe it was time to figure out if there was any substance to her relationship with Mick beyond just the sex. She was beginning to wonder if that’s all they had. And if it was—yeah, it was pretty damn great sex, but it wasn’t enough for her. There was way too much at stake to invest her heart, and Nathan’s, in something that would end up burning itself out in the end.
TARA STOOD BACK AND ADMIRED HER WORK. ADMITTEDLY, she’d done a killer job. The venue was perfect and decorated in all white with summer greenery interspersed on and around the tables. Fresh flowers in crystal vases graced each table, and live trees and bushes had been brought in to give the illusion of an outside setting, so even though the anniversary party was indoors, Tara had replicated the meadow where Jimmy and Kathleen had said their vows forty years ago.
“Hey, Mom.”
She wrapped her arm around her son. “Hey, yourself, birthday boy. How does it feel to be fifteen?”
He grinned. “Pretty good.”
She still felt a little guilty that she was working on his birthday. “I’m sorry I didn’t have the chance to give you a party or anything. And you didn’t get to be with your friends on your birthday.”
“Are you kidding? I got to go to the game today, and Gavin got me a ball signed by every member of the team, plus Mick took me down right after the game to hang out with the guys in the locker room. And they won. Best birthday present ever.”
She leaned against him. “I’m glad. I was worried.”
He shoved into her. “You worry too much.”
“Probably.”
“I’m going to find my friends. See you later?”
She nodded, realizing how easy he was to please, and how lucky she was to have a son like him. “Later.”
She watched him walk away, realizing how fast he was growing up. Time was so fleeting. Nathan sat at a table with Mick’s cousins, his laughter ringing out and so easily discernible even over this noisy crowd. God, she loved her son so much.
“It’s beautiful, Tara. Breathtaking. Thank you.” Kathleen came up to her and hugged her, her eyes filled with tears.
“You did good, girlie,” Jimmy said, grabbing her into a bear hug. “You made Kathleen cry happy tears.”
Tara laughed. “Jenna helped me out with photos of your wedding. You were such a beautiful bride, Kathleen. And you look just as lovely today.”
Kathleen’s cheeks turned pink. “Now don’t be silly. I’m a little older.”
“But still as sexy as the day I married you,” Jimmy said, sweeping Kathleen up in his arms and planting one hot kiss on his wife.
Tara made a discreet exit as Jimmy took his wife out onto the dance floor. The band struck up and started playing some rocking seventies music, which got most of the crowd boogying their way onto the dance floor.
Tara made her way over to the bar where she naturally found Jenna, who seemed out of sorts standing on the other side of it. But Kathleen had insisted her daughter not work tonight and instead enjoy the festivities.
“Don’t know what to do with yourself?”
“No. And she made me wear a damn dress.”
“You look incredible. The dress is beautiful on you.” A summery silk dress that fit Jenna’s slender body so well, it was a multiple print halter that showed off some of Jenna’s tattoos. She’d even worn heels.
Jenna wrinkled her nose. “I suppose it’s okay to dress like a girl now and then. Hard to fend off my idiot brothers if they want to play tackle football though.”
“I doubt they’ll do that tonight. I think you’re safe.”
She laughed. “You’re probably right.”
“And you might want to dance.”
Jenna shrugged. “Doubtful. I’d rather be flipping the tops off beers.”
“So no guy has caught your eye?”
“I get my fill of these moronic, beer-swilling jocks at the bar. Don’t need to dance with any of the brainless twits.”
Tara could tell Jenna had no love for any of Mick’s or Gavin’s friends.
“Anyway,” Jenna said, lifting her glass of wine to Tara. “Success. You did it.”
Tara nodded. “It looks that way. And you did a lot of the work, too.”
Jenna waved her hand in a dismissive gesture. “I did nothing but toss you the guest list, some pictures, and suggest a few spots that could hold this crazy crowd.” Jenna turned to her. “You’re really good at this.”
Tara laughed. “Thanks, Jenna. I do love my job.”
“Maybe there’s hope for my brother yet. I was beginning to wonder, since all he ever dates are bimbos.”
“I think those were mostly public relations setups.”
Jenna took a sip of her wine. “Uh-huh. That what he told you?”
Tara turned to her. “Yes.”