The next day I’d told everyone, including my girlfriend Holly, that I just wanted to be alone. But when Meg showed up at my door with lasagna, a six-pack of my favorite beer, and open arms, I’d lost it. I wouldn’t have dared to let anyone else see my tears, but I held onto Meg and sobbed like a fucking baby for a solid ten minutes.

Best part was, she never made me talk about it. She just let me cry, and after I stopped, we ate lasagna, drank beer, and binge-watched Law & Order. She loved that stupid show, no matter how many times I told her that it was totally unrealistic and predictable.

“I don’t care,” she’d insist. “I like the predictability. They always get the bad guy.”

I was glad she’d reached out tonight, and even more glad that she was coming home for a visit. We had a rare and unique friendship that I cherished, and I’d never do anything to jeopardize it.

But if you think that stopped me from getting myself off to the thought of her licking Twinkie filling off my rock-hard cock, you’re fucking crazy.

Four

Meg

I arrived at Cherry Capital Airport just after eleven Saturday morning.

Since I hadn’t told anyone I was coming in early and didn’t want to ruin the surprise by asking someone to pick me up, I took a cab to Cloverleigh Farms. I couldn’t help smiling as the car turned onto the long, winding drive heading for the old farmhouse, which my parents had expanded considerably and turned into a five-star luxury inn.

Beyond the main building, which also included a bar and restaurant, were the familiar red barns and outbuildings that had been there when I was a kid, but there were new structures too: a winery, a tasting room, and a huge new white barn that served as a wedding venue. My sister April was the event planner here, and the weddings she designed had been written up in magazines, photographed for influential lifestyle blogs, and even featured on several episodes of a reality TV show about out-of-the-way spots to tie the knot in style. I had no doubt Frannie’s wedding would be beyond Pinterest-worthy, and I couldn’t wait to hear about it. I felt bad that I hadn’t asked about all the details before.

The driver pulled around the circular drive in front of the inn. “This okay?”

“Sure, thanks,” I said. A moment later, I was wheeling my suitcase through the multi-paned glass doors leading to the inn’s charming lobby. My mother was at the reception desk, but she was focused on something on her computer screen as I approached.

“Excuse me, can I book a room please?” I asked with a grin.

“I’m so sorry, we’re completely—” She looked up, and her expression went from regretful to ecstatic. “Meg?”

“Surprise!”

“I can’t believe it!” She came rushing around the desk to throw her arms around me. “Oh honey, it’s so good to see you!”

I dropped my shoulder bag and hugged her back, inhaling the familiar scent of her Chanel perfume. There was nothing like a mom’s hug to make you feel like everything was going to be okay, no matter what. “It’s so good to be home.”

She squeezed me hard for several seconds and then let go. “Does anyone know you’re here? Why didn’t you call? I would have come to get you! I thought you weren’t coming in until Thursday!”

I laughed at her rapid-fire speech. “I wasn’t going to, but I was feeling kind of homesick, so I thought I’d come in sooner. Spend a little more time here.”

My mother cocked her head. “Homesick? You?” She put a hand on my forehead. “Are you feeling okay?”

Swatting her hand away, I rolled my eyes. “I’m feeling great. I just missed everyone, that’s all. It’s been a while.”

“It sure has. Your father is going to be thrilled. So will your sisters.” She looked beyond me into the lobby. “Where’s Brooks? Parking the car?”

“Uh, no.” I cleared my throat. “Brooks isn’t with me.”

“He isn’t?”

“We broke up, actually.”

A small gasp, and she covered her lips with one hand. “Oh, no. I’m so sorry, Meg.”

“Don’t be. I’m fine, really.”

“Are you sure?” Her expression was worried. “You two were together a long time. I thought for sure you’d—”

“Well, things change.” I slung my bag over my shoulder again, not really interested in rehashing the breakup. “So where is everybody?”

“Well, Frannie’s at the pastry shop, and April hasn’t come in yet. She’ll have a late night, I’m sure. Big wedding this evening. Chloe’s probably in the tasting room, getting ready for the day. The inn is totally booked this weekend, and all the winery tours are sold out.” She shook her head and tucked her dark hair behind her ears, which was showing more gray at the root than I remembered. “It’s been a madhouse, not to mention all Frannie’s wedding preparations.”

I held my arms out. “Well, I’m here, and I’m all yours. Put me to work.”

She grabbed me in another tight hug. “Oh, it’s so good to have you back.” When she let me go, her eyes were wet with tears. “I’m so proud of all my daughters, but sometimes I miss those days when you were little and I never thought you’d be out from underfoot. And now I’m a grandmother and my youngest baby is getting married in a week, and I wonder, where on earth does the time go? I mean, look at my hair—gray everywhere!”

“You look great, Mom. Really.”

She waved a hand in front of her face. “Well, it’s nothing a trip to the salon won’t cure. Your sisters and I have appointments Wednesday. We’re doing trial hair and makeup for Saturday. Want to join us?”

“Sure. Thanks.” I tugged a strand of the hair that had come loose from my ponytail. “I could probably use a trim. Maybe some fresh highlights.”

My mother rose on tiptoe, clasping her hands by her heart. “Oh, I just can’t wait. When Sylvia gets here on Tuesday, it will be the first time in years I’ll have all my kids under one roof.”

“Has it been that long? Wow.”

She nodded. “Want to go surprise your dad? He’s back in his office.”

“Yes. Let me go say hello to him, drop off my bag at the house, and then I’ll come back and help you out at the desk. Or Chloe in the tasting room, whatever you guys need. Sound good?”

“Perfect, darling. I’ll grab a shirt for you,” she said, gesturing toward her green collared Cloverleigh Farms work shirt.

“Thanks.” I followed her around the desk, pulling my suitcase behind me, and slipped through the door leading to the administrative offices. “I’ll be right back.”

My dad was just as shocked and happy to see me as my mom had been, and he came bounding around his desk to give me one of his giant bear hugs. Wrapped in his familiar arms, I felt my throat get tight. He insisted on walking me over to the house and even took my suitcase upstairs for me.

“Remember which room is mine?” I teased.

“I might be old, but I’m not senile—yet,” he replied, heading right at the top of the stairs and opening the door to my old bedroom.