“She shouldn’t have found me there.”
“How did you sleep?”
“The best sleep I’ve had in years.”
I haven’t slept well since the day the men showed up on my doorstep, telling me the news of Mitchell’s death. But last night was the first night I slept peacefully.
“I’m sure Angelo’s feeling a lot of what you are today, sweetheart. You should talk to him about it.”
“I will,” I promise him. “You aren’t mad at me?”
He looks at me funny. “For what?”
“Kissing Angelo and staying over at his place.”
“Tilly, there’s nothing you can do to make me mad. If you’re alone forever because you can’t move on, I’ll be pissed. But you can never make me upset by finding your happiness.”
The bell above the front door rings. “Tilly,” Tate says from behind me.
I turn, moving out of Roger’s arms. “Tate, baby. What are you doing here?”
She’s eyeing Roger, probably wondering who the man is who’s touching me. “Who’s that man?”
I walk toward Tate and crouch down so we’re eye-to-eye. “This is Roger. He’s my brother.”
There’s no other way to describe him, especially to a seven-year-old. Roger’s the only family I have. Even though we’re not related by blood, he’s mine forever. No two people could go through what we endured and not have an eternal and lasting bond.
“You have a brother like me?” she whispers.
I nod.
Tate steps around me and cranes her neck upward to look at Roger as he approaches. “I’m Tate,” she tells him.
Roger laughs. “I’m Roger.”
“You’re lucky.”
“For what?” Roger asks Tate.
She motions for him to bend down, and he does. “Because you have a sister like Tilly,” Tate whispers. “And she makes the best cupcakes in the world.”
Roger laughs again. It’s hard not to with a kid like Tate. “I like this kid.”
“She’s a hungry little thing.” Vinnie pats her on the shoulder. “Just like her uncle. I’m sorry we barged in here like that.”
I wave him off. “It’s fine, Vinnie. You’re always welcome.” I turn toward Tate, who’s moved her attention toward the display case. “Tate too.”
Vinnie rubs the back of his neck. “Tate insisted we come get her daily cupcake.”
“Kid forgets nothing,” I say with a laugh.
“Not when it comes to food.”
“Why don’t you help her pick something out and whatever you’d like too.”
Vinnie’s eyes light up. “Are you sure? I’m happy to pay.”
I shake my head. “I insist.”
