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“I didn’t know that.” I paste on a fake smile and turn to make my way toward the massive fridge halfway along the space that makes up this prep area. I already have enough ingredients to get started for the party. The rest, I’ll get tomorrow. “Do you have soccer practice tonight, Bug?”
“Nuh-uh.” She goes back to drawing, her tongue poking past her lips, the way her mother’s does when she’s concentrating. “Soccer was last night. My game is on Saturday morning, in case you wanna come.” She glances up from her paper and grins. “It’s before Mom’s party, so we have loads of time.”
“Oh, maybe.” I drag the heavy refrigerator door open and move into the chilly interior. “I’ll have heaps of work to do on Saturday to get ready for the party, but if I can sneak out, I’ll come watch you kick butt. You gonna score a goal and dedicate it to me?”
“I’ll try.” She drops her gaze as I step out of the fridge again with enough butter to kill a thousand men. “It’s hard to get goals in soccer, and I already promised the first one to Uncle Axe.”
“Oh, well…” I watch my shoes as I walk, and ignore Nicole’s curious gaze as she brings it up. “That’s totally fair,” I lie. “He’s been away and deserves a little love now that he’s back, huh? I’ve had you all to myself for seven whole months.”
“Right.” Happily, she keeps coloring. “That’s what I thought too. But if I don’t get two goals this week, I’ll get one next week for you. I promise.”
“No pressure, baby girl.” I set my piles of butter on the counter so they land with a thud, then I spin back to the fridge and search for more ingredients. “I want you to have fun at soccer, sweetpea. So if you don’t ever get a goal for me, that’s totally fine. I’ll still think you’re the coolest kid I’ve ever met.”
“Come on, June.” Nicole pushes up from her stool and slides her planner and sheets of paper into her purse.
As I come out of the fridge with a basket of carrots, I watch Nicole help her daughter pack up her pencils, and shove the coloring book into her backpack.
But I walk to the counter, lower my gaze, and get to work.
I don’t ask where the Feeneys are going, or who they’ll be with. I don’t ask for an invitation to dinner, the way I so shamelessly have in the past. And I definitely don’t ask for a seat at the table Axel will likely eat at.
They’rehisfamily.
My time at their table is officially over.
“I hope you have an awesome afternoon, Bug.” Head down, eyes on my work, I already miss the little girl who is as special to me as if she were my own child. “I’ll probably see you tomorrow sometime.”
“You’ll lock up?” Nicole’s tone is hard. Angry, though not outwardly. Not so her daughter would notice. That tension is just for me and her.
I fake a cheery tone and move to the sink to wash my hands. “I’ll lock up at five, and be out of here a couple of hours after that. I’ve left my phone on silent in the storeroom, so if Preston needs to contact me about his order before I check my messages later, he can call the shop phone.”
“I’ll let him know.”
Her voice is directly at my back, and startled, I spin, perhaps expecting a fist to my face.
Though of course, I should know better. Nicole Scott—NicoleFeeney—is one of the kindest, purest people I know.
Tears burn the backs of my eyes when she reaches across and cups my cheek. “I’m sad you didn’t tell me exactly what was hurting you,” she murmurs. “I’m hurt you couldn’t share that with me. But I’m not mad at you. And I forgive you.”
A fresh, boiling tear dribbles onto my cheek. “Nic…”
“I want you to be happy. And I want my brother to be happy, too. If that means being together, then I promise not to make it weird. And if…” Her eyes dance with unshed tears. “If your happiness is found far, far away from each other, then I’ll accept that too. I just want to know you’re both okay.”
“I will be.” A second, traitorous tear joins the first. “Eventually, I’ll be okay.”
“And if you ever want to talk, even if the discussion centers on my brother and how much of a prick he is, then I want you to know I’m a safe place for you to come.”
“I won’t.” My breath catches as her eyes darken. “I won’t hurt what we have by placing you in the middle and bitching about him. But thank you…” I swallow the ball of nerves lodged in my throat. “For the offer, and for understanding.”
“You’re my family too.” Dropping her hand but pulling me in, she wraps me in a hug that breaks and mends my heart in a single, aching second. “He’s my brother, but I’ve always considered you a sister. Which is probably why…” Pulling back, she wrinkles her nose and lets out a watery snigger. “Well, I’m sure you understand my moment ofickwhen I found out what you did.”
“Oh god.” Laughing, crying, I turn and swipe the tears from my cheeks. “I don’t want to talk about it.” I flip the tap on and re-wash my hands. “Love you. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Love you too.” She taps my ass and strides away to collect her things. “Don’t forget to lock up before it gets dark. Weirdos lurk everywhere.”
“They sure do.” I flip off the tap and grab paper towels to dry my hands. “Have a good evening.”
Don’t ask what they’re doing. Don’t ask what they’re doing.
