“No man is nicer than the one who hasn’t slept with you yet.”
“Tell me about it.” Gigi laughs softly, but it doesn’t soundhappy. “I just want to matter to someone. I want to love so hard it burns, you know? I want a guy who’ll bring me flowers just because he’s thinking about me.”
“Not because he cheated and feels guilty.”
“Right. Oh, wait… Did that happen to you?”
“Actually, no.” Heather sounds as wistful as Gina. “It’s just a cliche. I’ve been too busy helping with this little lady to date much.”
“Owen said something about that. Like you’re ready for him to retire.”
“He said that?” My sister laughs. “Well, next time he tells you something like that, tell him not to worry. I’ve read my cards, and I’m right where I’m supposed to be.”
“He’ll be glad to hear it.”
She’s right, I am glad.
“Don’t forget to have hope,” my sister tells her. “Remember you’re close to a victory.”
I hear them moving this way, so I walk back to the porch. I turn her words over in my mind, burning… flowers… I wonder what my sister means. If Gina’s close to a victory, I want to be a part of it. I want to be part of all of it.
When I enter the kitchen, Gavin is back. He’s holding a beer, and Mav is turning the chicken breasts over in the air fryer.
“Almost ready,” Mav says. “Is Haddy on her way?”
“Yeah, she just took a minute to feed Lucy.” Gav leans against the counter.
“How’d the diaper change go?” Mav snorts. “Somebody’s got to tell Uncle Hen that Super P is a chip off the ole block.”
“She’s going to get mad if you call her that.” A warning is in Gav’s tone.
“What’s Super P?” I grin, looking from one to the other.
“Don’t youdare, Maverick Murphy!” Haddy enters thekitchen with the baby on her shoulder, patting her little back. “You’re really pushing it tonight.”
Both guys straighten, and Maverick returns quickly to flipping the chicken.
“You know they make this balm,” I jump in to change the subject slightly. “I think it’s called Stink Stick, actually, and it comes in scents like coffee and mint. You put it on your upper lip, and it blocks the odor.”
“Thanks, Owen.” Haddy gives my arm a gentle touch. “My uncle Jack said something about that. I was hoping things would go back to how they were before.”
Looking down, I shake my head. “I hate to break it to you, but those days are over. And when she starts on solid food, well…”
“I’ll see if I can track down one of those stink sticks.” Haddy nods, catching my drift.
“On that note,” Mav straightens. “Who’s ready to eat?”
“Ladybird doesn’t walk fancy.”Maddie’s bottom lip pouts as she sits on the edge of the sofa beside Gina. “She kind of flaps.”
My daughter flails her arms in a way that looks very much like our klutzy bloodhound.
We finished dinner, cleaned the kitchen and wandered into the living room. Gavin sits in an armchair holding his little daughter with Haddy sitting on the arm. Gina and my daughter are watching clips of dog shows on Gina’s large iPad, while Heather cycles through movies on the streaming service.
“She’ll learn.” Gina rubs her hand on my daughter’s back.
It makes me think of home and a real family with a mother for my little girl… What would that be like?
“My Dog Skip?” Heather asks, and Gina gives her a thumbs up.
