Page 31 of On the Wild Side

“You could really put it on anything,” I reply. “Doesn’t have to be your wrist.”

He takes it out of the box and loops it around his wrist, admiring it.

“Thanks, Abs.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Whoa,” Erin says, rushing to me. “You weren’t wearingthoseearlier.”

I finger one of the earrings. “They’re from Brady.”

“Damn. Good job.” She high-fives Brady and then smiles softly at me. “You can wear those to the party next week.”

Oh, I already planned on it.

“I’ll be right back.”

Needing a minute, I stand, walk into the kitchen, and pour myself some juice. Millie, champagne bottle in hand, raises an eyebrow, and I nod, giving her the go-ahead to add it to my glass.

The kids run in through the back door, their cheeks flushed with happiness.

“It wasawesome,” Holly says, and Daisy nods.

“I can go faster than both of them,” Johnny says.

“I didn’t fall down,” Daisy adds. “Not even once. I remembered how to ride, even though it’s not summer anymore.”

“Because you’reamazing,” I remind her and bend down to kiss her cheek. “I’m proud of you, baby.”

“Would you like a cinnamon roll?” Brady’s mom, Joy, asks the girls.

“Yes, please,” they say in unison.

“Grandma, can I please have some juice?” Daisy asks, and my eyes go wide.

“Daisy, her name?—”

“No, ma’am,” Joy says, interrupting me. “I love being called Grandma. Nothing brings me more happiness than these kiddos, and Daisy is absolutely one of mine. Now, of course, you can have some juice. Come on, you can help me pour it.”

I have to take a long, slow breath as tears threaten.

I don’t know what I did to deserve being welcomed into this big, amazing family, and as I watch Joy with all three of the little kids, helping them get their breakfasts, I’m suddenly overwhelmed with gratitude.

Blinking, I excuse myself from the kitchen and walk down the hall, looking for the half bath.

But before I can get there, Brady takes my elbow and pulls me into a theater.

“Hey.” He frowns as I wipe away a tear. “What’s wrong? Who the fuck made you cry? I’ll kill them.”

“No one,” I reply with a half laugh. “It’s happy tears. And maybe I’m a little overwhelmed, too. I’m not used to this.”

“What? Christmas?”

“Not likethis.With all the people and the food and the presents. Feeling included and loved. And I’m so grateful thatDaisy has it. That your family makes her feel like she belongs here. She called your mom Grandma, and when I tried to correct her, Joy wouldn’t allow it.”

“Of course not,” he says with a half smile. “Being a grandma is her favorite thing. Hell, she’d letyoucall her grandma.”

I laugh at that, already feeling much better.

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