Page 36 of Falling Back to You

The girl was too romantically optimistic for her own good.

Exactly how I used to be, and look where it got me.

Khia bounced excitedly at my side as I rapped on Greyson and Paisley’s yellow front door. They had offered to watch her while I was away, and I was hoping the extra time with Rosie Cotton would put a damper on the “can we get a dog?” conversation.

The cheery door swung open.

“Hey, munchkin!” Paisley pushed her glasses farther up her nose, beaming at Khia. “Hello to you, too, Cal.”

“Auntie Paisley!” Khia flung herself into the waiting arms, nearly bowling the willowy woman over.

“Welcome back,” I said, grinning. “How was the land of the halflings?”

Paisley sighed dreamily. “Absolute perfection.”

She and Greyson had taken a trip to New Zealand as an early birthday present and a second honeymoon of sorts after their fourth anniversary last month, and even though they’d gotten home two weeks ago, I hadn’t seen much of them thanks to my schedule.

“Hey, Princess,” Greyson called, joining us in the hallway.

Khia launched herself at him like a human missile. His lightning reflexes caught her and Paisley, who lost her footing with the momentum.

“Two of my favourite girls at once,” he said, winking at Paisley, his hand hovering on her lower back even after she was steady.

“Daddy made pancakes with chocolate chips!” Khia prattled, arms around Greyson’s neck. “But they aren’t as good as yours.”

“Of course they aren’t. My pancakes are the best.” Greyson tweaked her nose, making her giggle.

“Can we make sourdough with bis-ghetti?” Khia asked.

Sometimes I wasn’t sure if I was raising a four-year-old, a wild Chincoteague pony, or a miniature meemaw.

“I think we can manage that,” Paisley promised with a smile.

“Rosie!” Khia shrieked and wiggled out of Greyson’s arms to hug her golden retriever bestie, patiently awaiting her pets.

“Thanks for this,” I breathed out once Khia was distracted.

Greyson draped his arm around Paisley’s shoulders and kissed the top of her head. “Happy to do it. You know that.”

And I did, but I wasn’t ready to get sentimental about it this morning. So I slipped into my teasing role. Ever the family showman. Ready for a laugh. The goof to keep things light. “I meant for having a canine fur baby. We’re back on the puppy conversation.”

And the new mom conversation, but I wasn’t admitting to that with Khia in earshot.

Paisley scrunched her nose. “Do you need to borrow Rosie for a few days once you get back from Nashville?”

“Maybe.” I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. “But seriously, thanks. For everything.” I wasn’t sure where I’d be without them. So much for not getting sentimental.

“No luck with a nanny?” Greyson asked.

“Nope. None of them have passed Juliet’s gauntlet.” I checked my watch. Shoot. The hunt for the missing Mr. Snuggle the Shark had put us further behind than I thought. “Sorry, but I gotta dash. Bye, sweetie.”

Khia hugged me and promptly went back to Rosie. Tough competition.

“I’ll walk you out,” Greyson said, adding to Paisley, “See you at lunch.”

She smiled up at him adoringly, and my uptight twin melted into a puddle of marshmallow fluff as he kissed her goodbye.

Twice this week I’d gotten a front-row cinematic view of my closest siblings and friends being mushy and ridiculously in love. I was happy for them. But I really hated it for me. Maybe it was a sign.