“Oh no. Such a chore.” I heave a dramatic sigh.
He gives my butt a little spank and laughs.
“Come see how it looks!” I drag him by his hand up the stairs.
He admires my accessories, then goes back down to carry the chairs up. Sitting on the floor, we open the cartons and pull out pieces to put together.
“How was practice?” I ask.
The playoffs have started. It’s the first round and the Storm can win it tomorrow night at home.
“Good. Pretty laid back. I’m glad, because we’ve been busting our asses.”
“And winning.”
“Yeah.”
“We got a wedding invitation today. For Ben and Mabel’s wedding. In Philadelphia.”
“Cool. July, right?”
“Yeah. After the playoffs.” Which could go as long as June, if they go all the way.
“I have to go back to the apartment this afternoon and get the last of my stuff.”
He’s moved back into the house. I left it up to him, not sure if he wanted to distraction of moving just when the playoffs were starting, or if he’d rather have his apartment as a place he could be alone and just focus on hockey. But he wanted to come home.
Home.
“Okay.” I study a mysterious metal piece. “I’m going to the restaurant to help Grandpa interview someone for the new manager position.”
“I’m glad he’s doing that.”
“Against his will,” I mutter. “He’s still mad at me.”
“He can’t stay mad forever.”
“I’m not so sure. He still gets pissy when someone brings up the time Great-Aunt Violetta told him the lasagna at the restaurant was too bland. That was forty years ago.”
Carson chuckles. “Glad he holds a grudge over such important things.”
I grin. “Right?” I shrug. “Hopefully, he won’t stay mad at me for forty years.” I drop the piece I’m holding. “I give up. I suck at this.”
He shakes his head, biting back a smile. “I got it.”
I lean back against the couch and watch him put together my two pale-green armchairs.
When they’re assembled and arranged in the corner, I say, “Come see what I did.”
He follows me to the framed print of Kane’s little feet.
He stares. Then turns to me. “How did you…”
I cock my head. “We’ve had that since he was born.”
“I know… I took it…”
My eyebrows pull together. “Took it where?”
