“Yeah, I’ll line everything up.”
“Let me organize them first,” Lou chided, hurrying in front of her laughing twin to reach the living room first.
“Let’s clean up the food quick, Vi.” Aurora nudged her sister-in-law into the dining room to clean up the brunch spread that was sufficiently picked through.
“You okay?” Harper asked a little quieter once it was just the two of us.
I nodded, my throat too thick to speak through all the thoughts swimming in my head.
Our baby.
My lashes brushed quickly over my cheeks, the hold on my throat even tighter.It was always himI wanted to say, but that was what I was afraid of.
Max was giving me everything—so why was I so afraid to take it?
“Finish your cake,” Harper instructed when it was clear I wasn’t going to be able to respond. “We’ll wait for Jamie, Max, and Kit to get back and then start presents.”
The warmth of her embrace hadn’t even started to cool before a smaller figure saddled up next to me and hung her cane on the back of the neighboring counter stool.
“You look happy, dear,” Gigi said as she cut an impressive piece of cake and slid it onto her plate. “Glowing and happy.”
I was.
I was so happy it was frightening—and how could I not be scared?I’d never let my happiness be so dependent on another person before, and now, I felt like I was waiting for the other shoe to drop.
“Thank you.” I smiled at her, hoping she couldn’t see the knot of emotions tying themselves up in my chest.
My hopes fizzled as her stare pierced straight through me, surprisingly sharp considering howgooglyher thick lenses made her eyes appear. “Did you try your jam?”
Relief swept through me. “Yes, it was delicious. Thank you so much,” I said, grateful that I’d found the jar in my bag earlier this week, having completely forgotten Gigi stashed it there the last time we were here.
“Did you read the label?”
My chewing faltered. I had read the label…and it didn’t make any sense. I mean, it did, and it didn’t.
Peony.
I swallowed, scrambling to answer her without sounding confused or rude. “I did.” My head bobbed, and I licked my lips into a smile, adding, “Peonies are my favorite.”
I assumed she knew, and that was why the blueberry jam came with a label that hadpeonywritten on it—why Gigi had told me that jar was made just for me. I convinced myself it was relief, not disappointment, I felt when I read the word. I thought it would have something to do with Max. I mean, I guess it did. His business was flowers, but still, whypeonyinstead of justflowers?
“Of course, they are, dear.” Gigi’s smile broadened. “The king of flowers.”
I froze. “Excuse me?”
“Peonies. They’re known as the king of flowers.”
My heart tripped.
I’d convinced myself the word meant nothing when it really stood for everything. For him. Max knew every flower, every bloom. The way they looked together. How their scents complemented each other. I didn’t just love peonies. I loved theking of flowers.
I loved Max.
“Perfect timing,” Harper exclaimed, coming back to the kitchen just as Max and his cousins returned. “We’re ready to open presents!”
Chapter 26
Daisy
