Page 133 of The Perfect Mistake

I chuckle. “That’s never been why I like him.”

“I know,” she says. “It’s not your style. But you simply can’t help outperforming the rest of us, anyway. Don’t worry.” Her hand grips mine over the bedcover. “I love you, even if you’re annoyingly perfect.”

I grip her hand back. “I love you, too, and you’re perfect just the way you are.”

We go to the police station later that day. The kids come along. They’d been told what happened, but both Sam and Willa continued to ask me about it over and over again. They got a censored version. Nobody mentioned anything about a knife, and Alec made it clear that things like that only happened very, very late at night when small children were already asleep.

It’s a Sunday, and the sun is shining beautifully on the fallen leaves. Thanksgiving is this Thursday, and New York is already in the grips of that chill, the one that signals winter's fast approach.

I’ve always loved this season.

Elena gets along great with the kids. They take to her immediately, asking questions about her and me and our siblinghood. What’s it like to have a sister? That one’s from Willa. Sam wonders about her septum piercing, and squeals in delight when she spins it around dramatically for him.

Alec is a steady presence beside me the entire time. He helps us every step of the way, and ends the day by ordering a car to take Elena home.

“Let Isabel or me know directly how much money they took from you,” he tells her when they say goodbye. “I’ll solve it.”

She just shakes her head, but she’s smiling. “Okay, you really are rich.”

“I really am,” he deadpans. “I also want to help Isabel, and that includes her family. I’m sorry this happened to you.”

“I appreciate it,” she says. Then she turns to me with a wink. “Okay. I’m starting to get it.”

I shake my head at her. “Get in the car.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She climbs in and waves at us through the window. Her ride pulls away, leaving us all on the sidewalk outside the building I’ve come to think of as home.

“She’s so cool,” Willa announces.

“I’m hungry,” Sam says.

“Your sister knows?” Alec asks.

I turn to all of them, standing next to each other, two short and one very tall. I clasp my hands together. “Let’s go inside. Should we have another indoor picnic? Sam, I think there’s food left over from last night’s dinner.”

The kids run ahead of us into the lobby. Alec walks next to me, the back of his hand brushing mine.

“Yeah, she figured it out, and I didn’t want to lie to her,” I say.

“I get it. Now both of our sisters know.”

“We’re even.” I nudge his hand with mine.

He nudges it back. “I’m glad she took it better than Con.”

“Yeah, she was amused. She pointed out what our family would think, though.”

“What your family would think?” Alec’s voice darkens.

“Don’t worry, I’m not assuming anything. I know we’re a long way from introducing one another to our families. If we ever get to that point,” I say. I nudge him again and watch the kids as they wait for the elevator. “That’s not me exerting pressure or anything. I know you’re not ready to be in a relationship.”

He turns to me, a frown marring his face. “What would your family think about us?”

I wet my lips. “They’d be surprised. I’ve only brought home one boyfriend before. I do think they’ll have questions. About how we started… dating.”

“Hmm. Any reservations?”

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