Page 180 of My Unfinished Heart

“You know, the song is actually about two people trying to cheat on each other.”

“No,” she says. “It’s about two people who didn’t communicate with each other, but I think they will now, don’t you?”

I look at Kate who’s listening attentively to all of this. She says, “I’ve heard it like ninety bazillion times, and she’s right. They got lazy.”

“They did get lazy,” I’m forced to agree. “Not lazy enough not to hit up the dating apps, but I hear your point.” I set the little girl down and tuck a lock of hair that got loose back into her braid.

West approaches with a cautious look. “I saw a ring.”

I shrug.

“No one told me the stakes were high.”

“What would you guys have done if he didn’t come back with me?”

“Never crossed my mind he wouldn’t. You need to have some faith in yourself.” He pats my cheek where Kate just kissed it. “You’re a very compelling person.”

I huff. “Thanks. Now what?”

“Well, when Eliza’s done with this song, we’re gonna crank up some holiday classics and decorate your Christmas tree.”

“I don’t have a Christmas tree.”

“Oh, yes you do. It’s in the yard. We can bring it in once they get done with their thing.” He gestures to Connor and Tristan on the porch swing.

They’re already hugging.

Connor and I have talked a lot about the what ifs of all this over the last couple of weeks. We even discussed the hypothetical of Tristan moving in with me. Connor insisted he would want to, and I insisted it wouldn’t be necessary because—to be honest—until I saw him, this all seemed very far-fetched.

“I guess it’d be the universe’s way of telling me I need to learn how to be alone,” he’d said.

That comment didn’t sit well with me, but he’d given me a warning look. “Don’t start,” he said. “If you can do it, I can do it.”

“I hated it,” I told him.

“I’ve been doing it for a couple months. It’s not that bad.”

It was a good reminder. Connor’s been good about balancing his time at home with time with me and getting to know West, Joey, and the girls. He’s even done some car pool pick-ups.

But I think it’ll be different with Tristan in town. Here. With me. While I am finally convinced my brother’s feelings for Tristan aren’t romantic, the two of them are intensely codependent, and Connor very much feels like Tristan is choosing me over him.

It’s a tightrope we’ll all have to learn to walk if this is going to work, and a risk to this delicate glass bubble of happiness. But I won’t stand by and do nothing anymore if someone starts to spiral. Tristan won’t hold the burden of Connor and me on his shoulders anymore. He’s done more than enough. It’s the one thing Connor and I consistently agree on.

But back to this Christmas tree. “I don’t have any decorations.”

“Of course you do,” West says like I’m a moron for underestimating the amount of planning these lying assholes have been doing since the day Eliza kicked my ass at chess.

Tristan and Connor come in from the porch, and no one looks like they’ve been crying. Tristan heads toward me, and I reach for him when he’s close enough. He takes my hand, and I wrap my other arm around his waist.

“I told you we should’ve fucked at the studio,” he says.

I let out a short laugh. “You were right, and I should have known better.”

“Why wouldn’t you?”

“I just wanted to get you home,” I tell him, resting my forehead on his, taking a breath of his air.

“I love you.”