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“That’s Fletcher’s car,” Nana announces while using the toy soldier to point at the screen. “Those custom rims are his. That’s for sure. I’m correct.” She looks up at Soren and says, “You’re not my brother.”
Soren sighs and bends to help his grandmother with her teacup. “Nana, that’s not a stirring spoon. Yours is right here.” He gestures to the tray next to the chair. “See? I left it here for you.”
“This belongs to Mark, but he left it for me, see?” She waves it in his face. “Now, if you don’t tell me where he is, I’m going to call for my husband.”
Helen frantically rushes from the den. “I have to get to the bank.”
“For what?” Soren asks.
“To make a withdrawal!” The security system announces that the front door is open, followed by Helen adding, “Just in case!”
Soren sighs. “Christ, I swear that woman doesn’t think about anyone but herself.”
“You’d think his death would stir up more emotions in people.”
“Why should it? There have been so many lately. Parker and Tomas won’t be surprised.”
I nod, recalling that they’re coming over sometime later. While joining Nana’s side, I smile down at her and gesture to her cup. “Why don’t I make your brother a cup for when he gets here?”
“Ah, that’s a lovely idea.” Nana looks at Soren. “Who is she? She’s so pretty.”
“That’s Alex, Nana,” Soren replies. “And I’m your grandson, Soren. Remember?”
She uses the foot of the toy soldier to scratch her head. “Oh, Fletcher did have kids, didn’t he?”
“You’re doing great, Nana,” he assures her. “Just drink your tea. I’ll be back to check on you.”
She drops the soldier and snatches his arm, drawing him as close as possible. “Listen here, Soren Pershing. You have to get out of here before the war gets you.”
It’s the most sobering thing she’s said since I arrived. Though she recognized her son’s car and even said his name a couple of times, those comments were drops in a massive ocean of Alzheimer’s time-traveling loops, the kind that make me hope this isn’t something that runs in my family. I wouldn’t know—my parents didn’t exactly make it to old age.
“You should leave, Soren,” Nana says while taking my hand. She places my hand in his. “And take this one with you. She’s good for you.”
His eyes get a little glossy. My heart quivers at seeing such emotion on his face and I squeeze his hand, drawing his attention to me. Maybe this is the most he’ll get from his nana before he leaves. Who knows? I want him to treasure it as much as possible.
Lord knows how long she has left.
When his grandmother turns back to the television, I get out of the way and guide Soren into the kitchen. I’m holding my teacup when he wraps me in a hug. “Soren, I’m going to drop this. It’s fine porcelain. It might shatter and then—”
“Shush.” He kisses my neck and hugs me tightly, inspiring me to relax into his touch. “Thank you, Alex. For everything you’ve been doing for Nana. You’re so patient.”
“I haven’t done much. I just…”
He squeezes the words right out of me, causing me to spill some tea on the ground. I sigh while managing to set the saucer on the counter so I can return the embrace, delighting in the spicy scent that invades my nostrils.
God, Soren always smells so good. Even when things get bad—even when things are totally falling apart—he still manages to look as handsome as ever. His muscles flex slightly as he nuzzles deeper into my neck, nipping the skin there affectionately. I can’t help the sigh of desire that rises from me as I tilt my head back, exposing more of my neck for him to take.
“If my father’s dead,” he whispers to my flesh, “we have much less time than I thought. Text the guys. Tell them to come sooner.”
“That requires you to let me go, Soren.”
He chuckles and kisses my chin. “I don’t think so, sugar.”
A few kisses later, I settle into the living room at the front of the cottage and message the group chat. Soren checks up on Nana and then we wait for her nurse, patiently sitting next to each other while Soren gives the nurse a rundown of his nana’s morning. Once that’s done, we head to Villa Pershing to set up the library for our meeting.
My heart quivers as I recall what led us here. Within a few minutes of setting up tea in the library, Parker and Tomas walk through the door, each of them greeting me with a kiss on the cheek.
Parker lingers near my ear, whispering, “You all right, baby?”
