I catch her eye and find her already watching me, as if she’s been waiting all this time for me to give her a sign it’s time.
I give her a small nod, subtle enough, hoping no one else caught our silent communication.
“I madebrigadeirosearlier for dessert,” Gabby blurts, just loud enough for Lizzie to hear. “But I didn’t get around to covering them in sprinkles. Lizzie, can you help me?”
Lizzie glances over at her sister, thankfully oblivious to our silent exchange.
“Only if I’m allowed to sneak a bite out,” she says, giving Gabby a look that saysit’s payment for my labor.
Gabby rolls her eyes playfully. “If you insist.”
She casts me a knowing glance as she gets up, signaling her part in my plan. It’s perfect. Timing, distraction… all the pieces are falling into place.
I just hope everything goes as smoothly as I’ve imagined it. Every heartbeat is a drum, a reminder that today might be the day everything changes.
18
Lizzie
“Okay,nowcan I get detailspleaseeeeee?” Gabby’s voice drags the last syllable like I owe her an explanation. She’s desperate, practically vibrating with curiosity, and I can’t hide my grin.
I fish the chocolate sprinkles out of the cupboard and set them on the counter.
“I knew you wouldn’t let me off the hook, that’s for sure,” I say, glancing over my shoulder at her as I grab some butter and set it next to the sprinkles.
“You couldn’t expect me to,” she says, looking at me like eventhinkingabout withholding information should be illegal.
I sigh. “I know. And honestly… if the tables were turned, I’d do the exact same thing to you.”
Gabby grabs the cool brigadeiro mixture from the fridge while I grab two dessert spoons and a teaspoon. She sets the bowl in front of us, and I head to the cupboard to grab two small plates.
I head to the sink so I can wash my hands, letting the warm water and soap slip over me, carrying away any lingering distraction. My fingers tingle from the heat and water, and yet, somehow, my mind keeps flicking back to Nate, to the way he smiled yesterday.
Gabby lines up the mini cupcake liners—tiny, perfect vessels for chocolatey goodness.
I spread sprinkles across one plate, ready to coat the chocolate. A dab of butter on my palm, rubbed between my hands until it’s slick and gleaming. I scoop up a spoonful of brigadeiro, pressing it into a ball, and roll it in the sprinkles until it’s coated. Into a liner it goes. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.
“Yesterday was incredible,” I murmur with a dreamy sigh, rolling another chocolate ball. “Hours together… just talking, laughing… I even had to pray myself to sleep last night.” I catch a whiff of chocolate and butter, warm and sweet, making my mouth water.
Gabby looks up, eyebrows raised, spinning her own ball with delicate care. “So… what does that mean?”
I pause, letting the chocolate rest in my fingers. The faint sound of Nate’s voice—the depth, the timbre—carrying from the other room makes my heart give a tiny jump. “It means I need to talk to him. Until then… I don’t have a full answer. Not really.” My shrug feels small, though inside I feel electricity humming along my spine. I prayed. I thought. I decided… but none of it matters until I hear him.
I may have prayed about it last night, and I may have made a decision… but none of it matters if I haven’t spoken to Nate about it yet. I need to know his thoughts on it first.
Gabby exhales, long and hopeful, clearly wishing for more.
“I promise,” I say, placing a perfect ball into its liner, “I’ll tell you everything after I talk to him. I’m hoping to chat today.”
She pouts just a little, but she’s willing to let it slide. “I don’t know what the future looks like for you two… but I’d love to have you home.”
I narrow my eyes at her, stifling a laugh. “Are you trying to guilt-trip me into staying?”
Her gaze softens. “No… I just… miss you when you’re gone. The thought of spending more time with you before life pulls us in a million directions—that would be a dream.”
I can’t resist the little puppy-dog expression she throws at me, completely unaware of the effect it has. I close the gap, arms around her neck, careful not to get butter or sprinkles in her hair.
“I love you, sis. Always want to be around you. Let’s see how this goes today with Nate.”
