“I’m talking about the ‘no Declan bullshit’ deal,” she says.
It’s been a month since we returned from Lompoc.We’ve moved into my house, but we’re keeping Summer’s cabin to use for those nights when we could use some privacy.
The family has been thrilled to have us as their neighbors.Jasmine hangs out at our place many days after school.
Sometimes I come home from a late flight to find Emma, Summer, Phoebe, and Victoria howling with laughter in the living room, yet the instant I set foot inside, they go silent.It’s disturbing.
And Special K drops by at all hours of the day and night to riffle through our kitchen in search of crackers or chicken legs or pimiento-stuffed olives or whatever else he can find.
All reasons why the cabin comes in handy.
Summer has been sharing a lot more with me about the shit she went through with her parents and how much she’s struggling with our fertility issue, but she’s seeing a therapist, and it’s helping her see just how much of a badass she truly is.
And even with all that going on, I’ve never seen her more at peace.She’s thrilled to be fully back at work on Yosemite Ranch, just as the weather is beginning to break.
And marriage suits us, if I do say so myself.It’s a lot like how we’ve always been with each other, before Las Vegas, except that now we live together and fuck like hamsters.
It’s win-win all the way, as far as I’m concerned.
“No bullshit here.I’m a straight arrow,” I tell her.“I shoot from the hip.I’m a no-nonsense guy.An upfront sort of fellow.”
She clears her throat and imitates me.“‘You’re doing wonderfully, but how about you take a break for a few minutes, stretch your arms, and I’ll take over for the rest of our short trip?’”
“Oh,that,” I say.“I see that as diplomacy rather than bullshit, due to the life-or-death gravity of the situation.No pun intended.But forgive me—unlike that bird, I have plenty to live for.”
“Whatever,” she says.“You’re forgiven.But can we go home now?I think I need a ginger ale.”
“I thought you were done with the airsickness.”
She clutches at her middle.“So did I, but I think we should probably land.”
“Maybe when you get a little better at your coordinated turns, you won’t feel it as much.”
“My coordinated turns are very coordinated,” she says.
“Roger that,” I say, because I’m not acompleteidiot.
“Anyway,” Summer says.“Emma is making spaghetti tonight, and I want to get some before Special K eats it all.”
“So, you’re nauseated but want to eat spaghetti?”
She beams at me with a smile that melts my heart.
“What?”I ask.“What did I say?”
“That was snarky and insensitive, Declan.But it wasn’t bullshit, and I love you for that.”
CHAPTER 69
Summer
A few days later, it’s one of our girls’-night-out events at Emma’s restaurant.It’s not open for dinner, so it’s just the MacLaine women.Phoebe is helping Emma in the kitchen while Victoria sets up our large booth, and Phyllis is quizzing Jasmine on her multiplication tables.
I’ve got nothing to do because no one in their right mind would want me to cook or set a table.
“What’s left to do for the wedding?”Victoria asks Phoebe when she and Emma come out with our food.
“Everything’s coming right along, but it feels weird,” Phoebe laughs.“I mean, Evander and I have already had all those commitment ceremonies!”
