He pulled me into an embrace and I held on.
“I love you, son,” he said. “You got this.”
Nodding, I said, “If I don’t, I’ll figure it out.”
“Absolutely.” My mother called for him and he stood. “Let me go check on my wife. Dallas probably messed up those potatoes.” He walked to the door. “Uh oh, you have company.”
Frowning, I asked, “Who is it?”
Rissa peeked into the room and waved. “Hi.”
Dad closed the door, leaving me alone with her. Unable to help myself, I smiled. “Hi.”
“I’msorry I didn’t text you back.”
Rissa shrugged. “It’s okay. I figured you needed space to process everything. Ma got in last night and wanted to come see everyone.”
“It’ll be cool to see her.”
“AndIjust needed to check on you.” She climbed into bed with me. “You have a house full.”
“Yes I do.”
“Ezra’s in heaven in Bliss’s arms.”
I nodded. “She’s good with him.”
“How are you? I swear, Duke has a gift from God. That damn rib I had was amazing.”
Chuckling, I wiped barbecue sauce from the corner of her mouth. “I can tell.” I licked the remaining bit off. “You taste good.”
She dropped her head on my shoulder. “Oh my God. I’m gonna kill Tyn for letting me sit out there with sauce on my face.”
I stared at her. She wore a baseball cap, a pair of pink shorts, and a matching shirt. “You still look good.”
“Oh please. It’s so muggy outside. My hair isn’t cooperating.”
I tugged her hat off.
She tried to cover her hair. “You’re so wrong for that.”
“You’re beautiful. I like you just like this.”
“Like a hot-ass mess?” She giggled, trying to snatch the hat from me. “Give me my hat back. I can’t leave this room looking crazy.”
“You can have it back.” I dodged her attempts to grab it. “When we’re done.”
She pouted. “Whatever, Asa.”
“I’m sorry for not telling you about Ezra.”
Rissa dropped her head and took a slow, deep breath. “You didn’t have to. You don’t owe me an explanation.”
“Is that how you really feel?”
“I don’t know.” She shrugged. “No. You took me through it. I can’t pretend this isn’t a lot.”
I snickered. “Itisa lot.”
