“I need to get a couple of hours shut-eye. I can’t think straight.”
“Try having a child. I’ve been running on empty for months,” Gabriel says, earning himself a playful slap from Leah.
“Get some rest,” Leah says. “It’s time I got this little man home, anyway. But coffee first. I miss your coffee-making skills.”
She shoots Amanda a grateful smile as she passes through the door.
Stooping, she scoops the sleeping Callum out of Pen’s arms. While Pen sets about collecting the toys from Gabriel’s floor.
“Not bunny,” Leah says, at the teddy with big floppy ears that Lottie chose for Callum when he was born.
Pen smiles and holds him out as Leah places a still sleeping Callum in his buggy.
Only handing the worn teddy over once Leah straightens.
“Thank you.”
I bend down and help Pen clear up the carnage Callum has made.
“I’ll see you later,” I say when we have returned Gabriel’s office back to the professional place of work it has always been.
“I’ll walk you out,” Gabriel says, diving out of his chair, joining me at the door before I can say anything.
“Bye, ladies,” I say, exiting the room.
We walk away in silence.
“Are you okay?” my younger brother asks.
“Not really,” I tell him truthfully.
I’m working on letting my family back into my life. For too many years, I’ve shut them out, thinking I was protecting them from my disastrous relationship. What I’ve learned is I fooled no one. Instead, I caused them more worry and strife. Something I’m struggling with, and my therapist is helping me with. That feeling of being isolated, unable to connect with people meaningfully. Thinking things would never improve or that there was no escape. How I made my bed, and now I must lie in it.
“Pen is the best at what she does,” he tells me, and I wonder if Gabe knows more about Pen’s mysterious past than I do. I know the two are close.
“Gabe?”
He shakes his head, his eyes locking on mine.
“If you want details, you talk to Pen.”
The look on his face tells me I will not win this battle.
“That’s because I’m a genius,” he says, his lips twitching at my unasked question.
I groan.
“Don’t forget it’s boys’ night next week. If this is resolved. We expect you there. No excuses.”
Another battle I don’t think I’ll win.
CHAPTER 26
ELIJAH
FIFTEEN YEARS AGO
One look at Pen, and I know it’s not good news.
