Grayson
Don’t skimp on the details either. We need to know everything.
Knox
I might’ve told her that wearing all pink is for Barbies and babies, not grown women.
Grayson
…
Emmett
…
Holt
…
Dude.Tell me you didn’t.
Knox
Look, I can’t help it. She brings out the worst in me.
Grayson
Your inside thoughts are supposed to stay there. Even I know how to keep those to myself.
Holt
You need to apologize. That was mean, even for you.
Knox
I know. I’ll figure something out.
CHAPTER 22
Holt
Itilt the wine bottle, pouring the red liquid into the two stemless glasses.
It took forever to get the girls to go to sleep. They were so excited that Gia was back, they were afraid she was going to leave before they woke up.
She promised she’d be here to take them to school in the morning and had to read them three books before they were able to calm down. Lauren ended up staying in Leah’s bed—as she does most nights. I’ve asked if they wanted to share a room, but they’ve both told me they’d fight too much if they shared a space all the time.
Some days it feels like they’ve grown up way too fast.
I stare at the glasses and the bottle of wine for half a second, realizing I should’ve waited to pour them until after I was upstairs. Tucking the bottle in the crook of my arm, I grab the glasses and slowly walk to my bedroom.
A couple of months after I slept with Gia the first time, I realized it was time to update it. I wanted to create a space that was mine alone, instead of continuing to ruminate in the bed I shared with my wife. I repainted and bought new furniturefrom a local woodworker. I have no doubt that Hannah would have hated my choices, but thinking about her laughing at my horrible design attempts made me like it even more. She’d have rolled her eyes and said, “Whatever you want, love.”
She’s still here with me. She always will be, but seeing Gia sitting in one of the comfy chairs I picked out by myself settles the tiny voice in my head that wasn’t sure I made the right choice in redecorating.
Flames flicker in the fireplace as I hold out one of the glasses to Gia. “For you.”
She smiles at me. “Thank you.”
