“Sorry,” he said, a little defensive. Why bring it up if she didn’t want suggestions?
Because she likes to talk, you walnut. All you have to do is listen. If you managed to think of these things off the top of your head, do you think they haven’t occurred to her as well?He felt abashed.
“Sorry,” he repeated, this time more honestly.
Valerie ran her hand down his arm and he felt forgiven.
They drove down the winding lane and Valerie looked out at the darkening trees. “How about Dropsy Pine?” she asked. “As the new name.”
“Dropsyis an old term for a medical condition that caused tissue swelling,” said Nico.
“Seriously? I thought it meant, you know, dropping, but in a cute way. Like how the pine branches dip down.”
“Nope.”
“Damn it. This place is unnameable.” They came to the house and found it dark. “I guess everyone is out.”
“Penny mentioned something about a BBQ across the lake,” lied Nico. This was it. His final gift for her special day.
He opened the door and Valerie flicked on the light.
“Surprise!” Roger popped out with Alice, each holding the end of a huge “Happy Birthday” banner. Dalia was behind them with a cake that was an inferno of lit candles, and the rest of the Badgertons stood around the room clapping.
For a horrible second, Nico thought he’d misjudged as Valerie’s eyes filled with tears. The day had gone so well and he’d blown it. He wassureshe’d like it.
Then she laughed and turned to him, pulling him into a hug so hard she took his breath away.
“Oh, Nico.”
That’s all she said, but it was enough.
Twenty-Seven
Valerie woke up feeling warmer and more crowded than usual. Then she was fully awake because Nico lay beside her, arm over his eyes and shirtless.
She’d been on a high since her birthday. Valerie had been resigned to her usual dismal day. If she was lucky, she’d get a couple texts from friends and family. She assumed Nico wouldn’t care—he didn’t seem like a celebration guy—and she hadn’t told any of the Badgertons.
Instead, he’d made it one of the best days of her life.
To have Nico not only remember but plan adventures he thought she’d like made her feel like she mattered. She knew she had value, obviously. She’d been to elementary school, and she’d sung the upbeat songs about how they all had a little light that meant everyone counted exactly the same. However, it had also been clear, even to a child, that people considered some lights brighter or more important than others.
She’d often found herself forgotten when she stopped doing things for others. Her stepmother hadn’t bothered with her after the twins were past the age where they needed to be babysat, and her father wasan out-of-sight, out-of-mind kind of guy. They had a pleasant time when she suggested lunch, but they were more like acquaintances than anything else. Her mother loved her, but her attention was on Erica’s wedding the same way it had been on Erica’s career, and schooling, and feelings. Her mother had told Valerie it was because Erica, and Justin, needed her more.
“I never have to worry about you,” she’d said. “I always said you’re one who helps, not one who needs it.”
For a long time, Valerie had told herself that it was a good thing she’d been no trouble. It was good to be the helper. But Valerie wanted to be worried about a bit. She wanted to matter, and Nico had made her feel that. She’d hugged that close all day.
It was almost as thrilling as the other day on the dock when he’d told her that he saw what was between them as something more than physical. She’d been careful in her reply because there was a lot going on, but inside, she felt something that had been unsettled for ages finally calm down.
Today, however, her brain decided enough was enough and it was time to ruin her contented state by pointing out a sad truth.
She felt like a liar.
Which she was, don’t get her wrong. But living with the theory of it back in Toronto was different from being with people she was actively deceiving and who had recently sung her “Happy Birthday.”
“Do you think I’m wrong for doing this?” she asked suddenly.
Nico, who had been sleeping, jolted awake and stared at her before looking around with trepidation. “What, me?”
