Until Evelyn walks in and cuts me a cool, assessing glance. Sort of like a problem she’s trying to figure out how to solve.
My stomach flips.
“The Grinch hasn’t put any out yet. We’re behind,” she says, swinging her gaze up to Phoebe.
“The Grinchliveshere?” Phoebe gasps. “Does Max, too?Do you have a dog?”
“He does live here. Your mom loves him for some reason the rest of us can’t figure out.” She gives me a wry smile, which I suppose is a step up from a glare. “No dog, though, sorry. I’m Aunt Evie. Want to see your room, squirt?”
“I have an auntandmy own room?” Her squeal echoes like bells. “I’ve only got stinky uncles!”
“That makes me even more special then, huh? I’ll meet you up there and show it to you.”
Evelyn heads upstairs without a single direct word to me. So much for small talk.
“I really think she hates me,” I whisper.
“She doesn’t,” Aiden says, trying to sound convincing. “She’s icy to everyone.”
Still, it feels like her coldness is reserved just for me.
I want Evelyn to like me again, not only because we’ll live here. Something’s shifting with Aiden, and I hope she’s part of it. I always wanted her for a sister, and I think she did too.
We talked about it back then.
Excited shrieks from upstairs break the silence, pulling me back to the present.
“Mom! Unicorns and mermaids! It’s magical! And there’s room for my ballet barre—I don’t have to take it down every day!”
For a second, the air smells like cinnamon, like someone baked Christmas into the walls.
Exactly like magic.
Heat and hesitation snag in my throat. I’m overwhelmed with how much is shifting and at breakneck speeds I’ve got no clue how to navigate.
“She has a unicorn and mermaid room?”
I’ve always designed Phoebe’s room. I expected to help here. I’m grateful, but off balance—her room is where I pour my heart, where I prove I’m doing okay.
“Evelyn wanted her to feel at home,” Aiden says gently.
“I can see that. Thank you,” I say, and I mean it. “I’m just surprised.”
At least, however she feels aboutmeisn’t affecting how she welcomes Phoebe to her new home. I wish I’d been a little more prepared for this surprise, but I can get there.
He leans toward me. “What’s a ballet barre, Chloe?”
That’s exactly the levity I need in this moment.
“It’s where she can practice her plies and stretch.”
Aiden just stares back at me, blinking in a clueless way that makes me want to kiss him.
“I’m sure if you ask, she’ll happily show you.” I offer him a soft smile. “Maybe I’ll sneak in there and use it while she’s at school. It might be nice to not have to wrestle it to another room.”
His eyebrow lifts. “What doyouuse it for?”
“Barre workouts.” I wrinkle my nose, suddenly feeling embarrassed. “I’ve got to keep my sanity in check somehow.”
