During the ride back to my sisters, I call Lia to fill her in. She’s going to die.
Lia picks up on the first ring. “Hi.”
“How’s everything going with you?” I ask in a high-pitched tone.
“If you don’t spit out what you want to say right now…”
“Okay, okay. So Kai…” I let that sit, but not for long. “We’ve had a few moments since we’ve been back. You might have been right.”
I shared all the details right until this car ride home. She knows me well.
She scoffs. “Yeah, I’m always right about these things. How about I am right? You just need to decide what you want in life, and it became really clear Kai was part of it, huh?”
“Yeah, fine! You’re right.”
“That’s nice, but it’s even nicer to hear that smile you have on your face. Yup, I see it through the phone. Your ecstatic voice gives it all away.”
“You’re a girl's best friend.”
My sister is waiting for me with the paint all ready. She’s not painting—more like a supervisor at the door, with all the windows open so she’s not breathing in the fumes. I’m on a mission to finish and spend some time with the family. Knowing Kai would be at the office madeit easier for me to walk away. But after what we’ve shared, I wanted to stay in his arms for the rest of the weekend.
I remind myself that I’m here to support my sister, play with my niece, and spend time with Kai. But it’s hard when my mind is completely consumed with replays of our night together and today’s boat ride. I’ve never felt so completely loved by another person, the way Kai plays my body like he’s mastered all of me.
“What is all the smiling about?”
I can never leave my sister in the dark, so as I paint, I tell her everything. Well, except the part where he came in his pants. Yeah, that’s a moment for only us. It doesn’t stop me from giggling just a little bit about it to myself.
She’s speechless. And she hesitates when she says, “Did you tell him about Sam? Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s such a wonderful moment when you feel so deeply for someone. I think you should share all of you.”
I know exactly what she means, and I thought about telling him earlier when we were sharing. This one is locked tight inside of me, and one day, maybe I will. I veer my eyes to the wall and say, “No.”
“You are bearing it all with him. He deserves to know.” She lays it on thick with her sister-voice of reason.
The paint continues to cover the wall, one stroke at a time, as my hand holds the handle tightly. “I know,” barely a whisper.
“I didn’t mean to dampen your mood.” She switches topics. “This color is exactly how I imagined it. Thank you for doing this. Logan is doing his best with managing the crazy pregnant lady while taking care of Giana and the firm.”
“If you need me to watch Giana while the two of you have a date night, I’ll put it on my calendar right now. It might be a nice thing to do tonight since I’m already here. Hoping this coat will dry and I can get the second one on quickly.” I glance over at her; a smile spreads overher face. “Just do it. I’ve got you, that's why I’m here…to help you. Not just for the day-to-day stuff, but also the extra stuff. Like a date with your husband.” I smile back at her.
“Okay, yes.” She’s so excited, her phone almost lands on the floor. With the tapping on the screen, she must be texting Logan. It makes my heart happy that I can do this. I’ll have a blast watching my niece. We’ll be able to eat pizza for dinner, have ice cream, and watch a silly cartoon movie. It will be a night we’ll make a tradition when mom and dad go out.
The first coat of paint is done. If it dries in time, then I’ll paint tonight. If not, it will be finished tomorrow morning. Tonight, after Giana goes to bed, I can start putting things into the closet. One less thing for my sister to do. Then the furniture can be moved in, the crib assembled, and all the other baby shower goodies can have a home in the new nursery.
“Bye Mommy, bye Daddy, see you tomorrow,” Giana says to her parents as they leave for date night. They are such a happy couple, holding hands as they walk out the door. It’s endearing.
We had the best night watching Stitch. I read Giana a book, and she didn’t even make it past page three before she was sound asleep. It was a busy night. By the time I curl up in bed with my phone, I text Kai.
Ava:
I had the best day with you today. I’m hoping we can do it again soon. For now, I’m crashing. Talk tomorrow.
Kai:
Me too…Good night, sweetheart.
THIRTY-FOUR
Kai
