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Alex
“Earth to Alex,”Zeke teases. “Christ, the two of you are eye fucking each other from across the room,” he complains in jest.
“Shut it,” I mumble, and tear my gaze away from my girl. Zeke’s not wrong, but this is supposed to be a family dinner.
The food, as always, is fantastic. Everyone I care about is here and the presence of those who can’t be here still lingers in the house. Mom, Dad, and Kevin are here in their own way. David makes sure to keep Kevin with us when he shares his cop stories. Sandra and Joyce do the same when reminiscing about the younger years and how our three separate families became one big one.
I reach for the plate in front of me, take a chocolate nut cluster, and wink at my girl sitting across from me.
TWENTY
It’s All Good, Buttercup
SABRINA
Aweek later…
“Sorry, buttercup, I’m going to be home really late tonight,” Alex tells me over the phone. “We’re on a case, and we’re close. With any luck, we can get this done.”
“Do I need to worry?” I ask. It doesn’t matter how he responds, I’m going to worry.
“I’m not alone. Damian, Zeke, and Caleb, we’re the dream team,” he kids. “But I’d feel better if you spent the night at Chloe’s. Mason will hang out on the couch till we get back.”
“I’ll ask Chloe if she has plans.”
“She doesn’t. Damian’s already checked. Chloe’s been looking for more time with you, so this seems like a good opportunity.”
“Sounds good to me.” He seems relieved and lets out an audible breath. “Will you call me when you’re done?”
“It’ll be late.”
“I don’t care.”
“Okay, baby. Keep the phone close,” he says. “I love you.”
“Love you more.”
Chloe’s leaning against the doorframe as I disconnect. “I guess it’s you and me for dinner,” she says, smiling.
“And Mason.”
“Right.” She laughs. “Let’s do Golden Dragon. I love their wonton soup.”
“Sounds great.” I sigh, still thinking about Alex and the case he’s working on. “Did Damian tell you if this thing they’re doing tonight is dangerous? What am I saying? Of course, it’s dangerous. They’re cops.” I throw my arms up.
Chloe comes over to me, linking her arm in mine. “I get scared too. But I fell in love with Damian, the manandthe detective.” She tips her head onto my shoulder. “I hate this part of his job, but he’d be miserable doing anything else.”
“Alex tells me that he’s wanted to be a cop since he was a little boy. His dad wanted that for him. Alex told me that the day he graduated from the police academy, Kevin and David went with him to see his parents at the cemetery.” I get choked up, remembering how Alex told me that story. “The three of them sat on the grass and told his parents all about it. Alex said the sun shone down on them the entire time, like the light from heaven was a spotlight.”
“Wow. That’s so beautiful,” Chloe whispers.
“Chloe, I think I’m ready to go visit my family. Alex and I have talked about it, but he’s letting me make the decision.”
“Oh, Sabrina, that’s huge!” Her excitement is contagious. “I can’t wait to meet them, when you’re ready, of course.”
“My mom and dad will adore you.”
* * *
