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“You know I don’t live life based on money. I go where the wind takes me.” She lifts a hand and does an elegant wave. Her green eyes brim with that blasted optimism that carried her through my divorce and my stint in the hospital. “And tonight, it brought me here. To my son and his beautiful wife.”
Elizabeth yawns.
Mom stops and watches her.
A horrified look crosses Elizabeth’s face. “I’m so sorry. You’re not boring me. I’ve just had a long day.”
“No, no. It’s fine. Why don’t you get ready for bed? Brogan will keep me company. We’re both night owls.”
“I’ll stay up a little longer,” Elizabeth says, her jaw cracking with another yawn.
I nod to the sofa. “Why don’t we move to the living room? It’ll be more comfortable.”
“Good idea.”
We settle into the couch. Mom takes the end so Elizabeth has no choice but to fall in beside me. Though she tries valiantly to keep her eyes open, less than five minutes later, she dozes off.
I tap her shoulder. “Elizabeth, go to bed.”
“I’m fine,” she mumbles, forcing her eyes open. “We were talking about your parents’ wedding and how your dad fainted at the altar.” She pops one eye open to taunt me, “See? I’m listening.”
Mom smirks.
Despite her bravado, Elizabeth’s head starts darting around again.
Suddenly, it lands on my shoulder.
I stiffen.
She nuzzles me, her cheek pressing against my neck.
Her soft breath hits my skin.
Slender fingers curl in the sleeve of my T-shirt.
Mom leans back. “I think she’s out for good.”
I nod.
Shift around so she doesn’t strain her neck.
I watch Elizabeth’s face.
It’s so… pretty.
Arched eyebrows.
Impossibly thick eyelashes.
Golden-brown skin.
Small nose.
Pink lips.
She’s a lot less annoying when she’s sleeping and her mouth is closed.
Mom offers a thumbs-up and whispers, “She’s nothing like Lana.”
