Page 136 of Manny

I pinch the bridge of my nose, and while I understand he doesn’t really comprehend what we are, having them both around will help soften that blow when the time comes.

My sister appears in the doorway as the kids run past her. “Hey stranger.” She smiles, then it drops. “Are you okay?”

I blow out a breath. “I think I just had the first Lace, Manny and me talk with Eli.”

She turns to look over her shoulder. “Oh? How did that go?”

I smile gingerly. “He doesn’t really know what it means.”

“Kids can be more perceptive than you think.”

“Yeah, that’s true.” I look down at my boots.

“Jonah? What’s up?”

I always stumble with this, but I know Indi always understands, more so than anyone. She loved Jill too. “You know I struggle with what Jill would think. I never want it to seem like me and her weren’t good enough… that what we had wasn’t special.”

She looks confused, her shaking her head a little. “Seriously?”

“I’m bein’ honest here, sis. Cut me some slack, yeah?”

She puts her hands on my shoulders. “Sometimes I could smack you.”

“What did I do this time?”

She sighs like I’m dumb. “What you had with Jill will never be undone. She’d be happy you’re moving on with your life. You can’t compare anything to what you had, Jonah. You loved each other, that’s never going to change.”

“I know, I just never want her memory to fade, not from me or from Eli.”

“And she never will. She’ll always be in here.” She presses her hand to my heart. “Deep down, I think you know that, and I want you to know that your happiness is important to me. You deserve it. You’ve spent such a long time in the dark, and finally I see my brother emerging again from the shadows. There’s a light on inside you that was out for so long.”

“You make me sound like a phantom.” I always joke when I’m uncomfortable.

Her lips twitch. “Maybe a little.”

“Thanks, sis.” My eyes glaze over. Since when did I become such a sentimental schmuck?

“Anytime, I’m also available for daily pep talks and solid relationship advice.”

I cock a brow. “Just because you and old boy are shacked up with a gaggle of kids doesn’t mean that you’re an expert in how to tame a biker.”

Her grin widens. “Whatever you say.” She takes off in the back and I follow, but as I get into the kitchen, I hear.

“Hey!” I turn my head as Lace walks in the back door. My heart skips a beat when she bounds up to me, kissing me and wrapping her arms around my neck.

“What was that for?” I breathe when she pulls away.

“Do I need a reason?”

Indi clears her throat.

We both look at Indi. “Sorry,” I mutter. The kids are busy picking out a pastry from the cabinet. “Hey, I hope you asked Aunt Indigo if you’re allowed to raid that fridge!”

“I live here!” Cami yells back.

“Just like her momma.” I smirk.

Indigo gives me an eye roll and goes out to help the kids before they start fighting.

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