“You don’t have to?—”
“I know I don’thaveto. Iwantto.” I run a hand through my hair, trying to find the right words to convince her. “Honestly? I need to get out of this house anyway. I’ve been sitting in my editing room for days, staring at the same footage until my eyes cross. A change of scenery would be good for me. Plus, manual labor. Very therapeutic.”
She’s wavering. I can see it in the way she’s shifting her feet, the way her grip on the grocery bag has loosened slightly.
“I don’t want to take advantage of your help,” she says quietly.
“You’re not. I’m offering. There’s a difference.” I give her my most reassuring smile. “Let me do this. Please?”
She studies my face for a long moment, and I can practically see her internal debate. Finally, she sighs. “Okay. Fine. But only because Tobias isn’t back until tomorrow, and I really want to sleep in my own place tonight.”
“Deal.” Relief floods through me. “Do you have access to a truck?”
“Yeah. Kiki borrowed one from someone on the island. It’s already at the house.”
“Perfect. Let’s go.”
Five minutes later I’m in the passenger seat of Kiera’s beat-up Honda moving through the quiet streets of Willow Shade, heading toward Kiki and Tobias’s house. The afternoon sun is warm through the windshield, and I find myself grinning for no particular reason other than the fact that I get to spend more time with Kiera. Even if it’s just hauling furniture.
Kiera pulls into the driveway and parks. Before we even make it to the front door, it flies open and Skyler comes barreling out.
“River!” She launches herself at me, and I catch her easily, lifting her up. “You’re here!”
“Hey, Little Pup.” I set her down, grinning at her enthusiasm. “How are you doing?”
“I’m going to be a big sister!” Her eyes are huge with excitement. “Mommy has a baby in her tummy, and we’re going to name her Princess Sparkle Rainbow!”
The announcement tugs at my heartstrings. I know the story of how Kiki came to this island, looking for her daughter. And now she and Tobias have one on the way. It’s so sweet. I press my lips together, trying not to laugh at what Skyler said. “Princess Sparkle Rainbow? That’s quite a name.”
“It’s perfect,” Skyler says seriously. “She’s going to love it.”
“The name isn’t set in stone yet,” Kiki says, appearing in the doorway with an amused smile. She comes down the porch steps, and I give her a hug.
“Congratulations,” I say. “That’s great news.”
“Thank you.” She steps back, one hand resting on her still-flat stomach. “We’re excited. And terrified. But mostly excited.” Her gaze shifts between me and Kiera. “What brings you by?”
“I’m here to help load the bedframe,” I say. “So Kiera can move into her new apartment.”
Kiki’s whole face lights up. “Well, that’s so sweet of you. Kiera’s been talking non-stop about her new place. We thought we’d have to wait until Tobias gets back.”
“Happy to help.”
We head inside, Skyler chattering excitedly about the baby and all the things she’s going to teach her little sister. The house smells like cinnamon and vanilla, warm and homey in a way that makes me think of family dinners and lazy Sunday mornings.
“Kiera’s room is upstairs,” Kiki says, pointing.
We climb the stairs, Kiera leading the way with me and Kiki following. When we reach the second floor, Kiera opens a door and steps inside, and I get my first look at her personal space.
The room is small but filled with afternoon light from a large window. Most of the room is packed up—boxes stacked against one wall, the closet mostly empty, the bedside table cleared of everything except a lamp. But there are still traces of Kiera everywhere. A photo of her and Kiki taped to the mirror. A collection of cooking magazines on the desk. An open box near the bed with clothes folded neatly inside.
And sitting on top of those clothes, looking slightly forlorn, is a stuffed Eeyore. I move closer without thinking, drawn to this glimpse of Kiera’s softer side. The donkey is old, well-loved, with worn patches on his ears and a tail that’s been restitched at least once.
“Is this yours?” I pick up the Eeyore gently, turning it over in my hands.
Kiera moves fast, crossing the room and snatching the stuffed animal from me. “It’s nothing.” She shoves Eeyore back into the box and closes the flaps quickly, her cheeks flushed pink. “Just something from when I was a kid.”
“It’s cute,” I say, keeping my voice casual even though I’m charmed by her embarrassment. “There’s nothing wrong with keeping stuff from your childhood. I still have my first camera.”
