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“You go ahead. I’ve got it.” She smiles, but it’s guarded, and I hate it. “I’m sure you’ve missed her.” Turning, she heads into the kitchen without another word.
With nothing I can think of to say, I call to Tabby.
June
AfterIfinishcleaningthe kitchen, I go up to my room to regroup. While I was in the living room with Tabby, I didn’t listen in on the conversation happening in the dining room on purpose, but I couldn’t help hearing. They weren’t really keeping their voices down, especially toward the end.
Nancy thinks I’m trying to replace her daughter. The idea fills me with ice. I don’t want to take anyone’s place. My whole life, I’ve only been trying to find my own place.
Duke seemed to calm her down. He told her he was just trying to be happy. I can’t help thinking that every time I think things are going to work out for us, there seems to be something else that complicates things.
To distract myself, I plop down on my bed and check my email. My heart races as I see an email from Dr. Jones. He’s the doctor who has been looking into whether I could be a donor for Lily. I click to open the email, and my eyes scan over the words.
Dear Ms. Harlow,
We are pleased to inform you that you’re a match as a kidney donor for...
I can’t read anymore because tears blur my eyes. After all my worrying about her, it looks like I’ll be able to help Lily after all.
Standing, I swipe at my eyes and read the rest of Dr. Jones’s email. There’s a time frame listed and some preparations that will need to be done. But it seems like the procedure will be completed in the next few weeks, sooner even. I will need to talk with Lily and convince her this is the right step. She just needs to understand all the benefits, and I’ll give her all the information. I did some research over the past few days. I can still live a full life with one kidney. The research warned against playing contact sports, but I suck at sports, anyway. Not being able to play them won’t change my life at all.
There’s a knock on my door. Duke pokes his head in. “Hey. Tabby would like a hug if that’s okay? Then maybe you could come see me in my room?” He lifts his eyebrows suggestively.
I grin at him and nod. As I scoot past him at the door, I plant a kiss on his cheek. Right now, I feel like everything is going to be okay. Things with Lily are working out. That’s a step in the right direction. I hurry down the hall to hug Tabby.
She’s already got sleepy eyes. “Did you like my Nana?”
“She’s your grandmother. Of course, I like her.” That much is true. Anyone who is special to the little girl is special to me. I lean over and hug her.
“I’m glad. I love you, June,” she says, rolling over. “Good night.”
My throat tightens. I smooth my hand over her crazy blond hair. “I love you, too, sweet girl.”
Emotion squeezes my chest, and I am still reeling as I slip out of her room. I mean, I knew Tabby loved me, as I love her. But this is the first time she’s spoken the words. I don’t know why hearing the words said out loud is so much more poignant than knowing they’re true.
I drift down the hall, tapping on Duke’s bedroom door. It opens immediately. He folds me into his arms as he closes the door behind him. “I’m sorry. About Nan.”
“No,” I shake my head as I wrap my arms around him, surprised. “Duke, it’s okay—”
“It’s not,” he insists, cutting me off. “It’s just, I don’t date. I’m not a person who has casual relationships.” He leans back, his gaze burning into mine. “She knows that, and she can tell I care about you.” His mouth opens like he’s going to say more, but then he closes it, seeming to reconsider. After a pause, he says, “I reassured her that nothing with her relationship with Tabby would change with you in my life.”
I study his face. With me in his life? As Tabby’s nanny? As his lover? “Of course not. She’s Tabby’s grandmother. Tabby loves her.”
He exhales, and it sounds like relief. “Exactly. That’s what I tried to tell her.” He pulls me against him again. “She asked if Tabby could spend some more time with her. Maybe some nights when I’m out of town, Tabby could sleep over there. Nan used to stay here, too, but I don’t know how you would feel about that.”
“She’s welcome to stay here with Tabby.” I’m sure I could stay with Lily on those nights. Violet mentioned during our lunch that she has a spare room. Maybe she would let me crash there sometimes, too.
“She asked if Tabby could sleep over tomorrow, while I’m out of town.”
“Of course. She can pick her up off the bus. I bet Tabby would love that.”
He smiles. “Great. I knew we could figure this all out.” He sweeps me into his arms and carries me to the bed.
The kiss he gives me is sweet and slow. Then he trails his lips down my neck and over my breasts. We quickly remove our clothes, and I sigh when he presses his skin to mine. Whatever complications we might have or questions that remain unanswered, they aren’t here, in this room. Everything about the way we move together is perfect.
When he comes inside me, I bury my hands in his hair, and we move together. I missed him more than I can explain, more than I want to even admit.
When I come undone around him, it strips me bare. I gasp his name as waves of pleasure shoot through me. He follows soon after, breathing heavily against my neck. We lie curled together, a tangle of limbs, in the aftermath.
