Page 85 of Peppermint Bark

With my arms wrapped around her, I dreamed of a different option … but I could barely function on my own in that job, and asking her to do long-distance wouldn't be fair to either of us. She deserved a future with somebody who could give her a family, and as my dad had told me about his own years with young kids, it hadn't been fair to Mom that he'd worked that much.

So I thought about my brother's advice, to enjoy my time with Grace while I had it. While I was here, with her curled up in my arms, I would soak up every ounce of the sunshine she brought into my life. I would hoard her, like the selfish bastard that I was, and do anything I could to make her happy so that I could get just a taste of that residual joy, to stockpile it away for when I left her behind.

Now the sun was peering through the curtains, ready to start the new day.

My phone chimed on the nightstand. Keeping one arm securely beneath her head, I rolled over to read a message from my brother.

Nick

It’s been days, how’d it go? Don’t leave me hanging.

I swiftly replied, attaching a selfie Grace had taken on the ski lift.

Nick

Holy shit, she’s beautiful.

What the hell is she doing with you?

“What are you laughing at?” Grace murmured into my bicep.

“My brother,” I nestled closer, pressing my lips against her shoulder. “He says you’re beautiful.” I felt her warm blush on her neck.

I held out the phone, which she accepted it to read the messages herself.

It vibrated in her palm with a FaceTime request.

“He’s calling!” she squealed, tossing the phone and diving under the covers.

A laugh burst out as I swiped. In the reflection, I saw my smile widen at my brother’s blond Viking mane and scruffy stubble, a far cry from his polished camera-ready deity.

“Eeew, I didn’t want to see your ugly mug. I’m calling to talk to your girl.”

My girl. It felt good to hear Nick call her that. My Grace.

“She’s hiding,” I flicked the screen to her head under the covers, then turned it to see Nick’s hand over his mouth, holding back laughter.

“I’m not prepared,” her muffled voice came from under the comforter. “I’m not wearing any makeup, and I have morning breath.”

“He can’t smell your morning breath, sweetheart.”

“But I’ll know!”

‘She’s adorable,’ Nick mouthed, and I mouthed back, ‘I know. Hold on.’

Placing the phone on the nightstand and tucking my head under the covers, I murmured, “Please, Grace. You’re gorgeous any time of day.” In the shadowy space beneath the blanket, her lips quirked up. “Come on, darling, I want him to meet you.”

And I realized how true it was. For years I’d hidden my relationship with Nick, wanting to live outside his shadow, and in keeping everyone distant from him, I’d had driven a rift between us. But now, I desperately wanted Nick to know Grace.

“Please, sunshine?” I pleaded, and she started to pull back the blanket.

“Grace,” Nick said loudly, “Come on screen and blink twice if you’ve been kidnapped.”

Grace pulled a hoodie over her tank top. “That’s exactly what your sister said.”

“Then you understand. I grew up with Mallory, I’m fully inoculated from gross girl stuff.”

I pulled her up to rest against my outstretched arm and picked back up the phone.

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