“I think he adores you and Savannah, in a way that?—”
“He adores all of us,” I assure her.
“He does, but there is something so special about how he is with Savannah,” she says, then adds, very softly, “And you.”
“I think there’s something special about him, too.” I admit, “He’s —”
We both say, “Come alive,” at the same time.
And he is, he’s using just a cane now.
“And you know you are welcome to stay with Koa and me for… ever.”
I nod, “And I appreciate that so much more than I can even express, but?—”
“The hen house feels like home.” She states.
“It does. And you, Paul,allof you feel like family.”
“And weallfeel the same about you and Savannah. And Paul.” Her smile softens, “he would love nothing more than towatch you and Savannah grow as a family.” She sniffs. “Dear God, I’m emotional these days.”
I look at her, waiting to unpack whatever it is she needs to, but I don’t press. Sometimes we need to hold those things close until we internalize and digest all our thoughts and feelings so they don’t get diluted by others.
“If he says he wants you to set up an office downstairs and have a dream kitchen, then I can guarantee that’s exactly what he is envisioning too.” She pauses. “But if you don’t, and you want?—
“I’d love nothing more than that, but I can’t allow myself to live in a fairytale where I allow myself to believe Kyle is not going to get visitation, and I can’t pretend the minute that when she’s old enough that they can force summers or?—”
“He’s not going to win this.”
“I can’t allow myself to?—”
“Get too comfortable?” She asks.
She’s not wrong, I think. “I’d like to change the subject.”
“Okay.” She nods. “What subject should we tackle now?”
“Something imminent. Like, what are we going to do to help Noelle after the inevitable breakup with Lauren?”
“Exactly what we’re doing now, be there for her.”
When Noelle’sbookstore comes into view, we both pause and take a moment to admire Pembrooke Books. Then a sleek black vehicle pulls up in front.
“Sofie has arrived.” Nalani giggles.
“I thought she said she couldn’t make it. Didn’t she have a meeting with her dad?” I ask.
“Looks like she rearranged her schedule.”
Sofie gets out and looks at the stroller, “He isout of control!” She taps on the glass of the tinted SUV. The driver, James, rolls down the window.
“They’re going to park the Aston Martin of strollers next to the SUV,” Nalani tells him. “Can you keep an eye out?”
“Of course.” He gets out immediately.
“Park it right here,” she says, pointing to the sidewalk. “And let’s roll.”
So we do.
