“Thanks, Sarah.”
“No problem. By the way, my advice for you is the same as for Lily. Start slow.”
Is my crush on Zack so obvious? “I—I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“The hell you don’t,” she laughs.
We say our good-byes and I head back into the kitchen, where Zack has cleared the table and put the dishes in the dishwasher. Lily has pulled all of the plastic storage containers out of the bottom cabinet and spread them on the floor, stacking them to build a tower.
“I’m helping Daddy put away the leftovers,” she announces proudly, carefully placing yet another container atop the rest.
“For the whole neighborhood, apparently,” Zack says.
“I see.”
“He wanted to know where to find the ’tainers, and I showed him,” she says.
“That was very helpful.”
“I like helpin’.”
“Well, then, would you please take Ruffles in the backyard and get her to run around? She needs some exercise.”
“Okay. Come on, Ruffs.” The little dog trots over. Lily hesitates and looks at up me. “But what about goin’ to see Mommy?”
I crouch down to her level so I can look her in the eye. “Your mommy is dead, sweetheart. If she were alive, she’d be right here with you. She’s not in your old house.”
Her eyes fill with tears. “But I want her to be. I wished for it so much!”
“I know, darling girl. But there are some things in life we just can’t change. If you want to go to your old house and look around, though, we can do that.”
Her face immediately perks up. “Really?”
“Yes. Go play with Ruffles and let us finish cleaning the kitchen, and then we’ll walk over.”
Lily and Ruffles bound out the door. I look at Zack, and he reaches out a hand to pull me to my feet. I take it, and the warmth of his palm makes goose bumps travel all the way up my arm.
“Sarah thought it was a good idea?” he asks.
I nod. “She said it might bring some closure.”
“Do you want to go alone with Lily?”
“No. I want you to come, too.” The words fly out fast—too fast. I’d just assumed he’d be with us. “If—if you don’t mind, that is.”
“No, I want to. I just didn’t want to intrude.”
I shake my head. “I-I’d like the company. And I think Lily would, too.” I spoon the leftover rice into a plastic container. “You have a way of lifting her spirits.”
And mine, as well. The realization of how much I’ve begun to count on his steady, reassuring presence alarms me, especially now that he’s going to stay in New Orleans. I know better than to rely too much on a man. I know better than to build up fairy-tale endings in my mind.
And yet, being around Zack makes it hard for my heart to remember all of its hard-learned lessons.
CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO
Zack
I BREATHE INthe scent of freshly cut grass, jasmine, and magnolia blossoms as we walk over to Brooke’s house together. We pass neighbors on their porches, who nod and call hello. Quinn smiles and responds, and Lily waves.
