Page 48 of Why Not Us?

I sketch an image on the canvas, not really letting my mind think about what I’m doing.

“I always have trouble sleeping the first night Dani goes back to her mom’s.” He sighs. “I know it’s stupid. She’s happy and Katie is awesome. I guess I just miss her. Takes a night for me to acclimatize to being without her again.”

I blink away the tears that have filled my eyes, my heart aching for him. “You’re a good dad, Nate. She’s lucky to have you.”

“Thanks. Why areyounot sleeping?”

“Can’t turn my brain off. Sometimes I’ve got so much going on and I just can’t settle.”

“What are you thinking about that’s keeping you awake?”

I tuck the phone between my head and shoulder so I can hold the top of the canvas as I continue the sketch.

“Wedding season is starting. That’s always stressful until we really get into it. My brother didn’t answer when I called him back.”

“He doesn’t call you often?”

“Almost never. I guess he’ll try again when he feels like it.” I take a breath. “And I went for my first tattoo consultation today. Which is making me a little nervous. I have an appointment now, you know. A real tattoo appointment, where I’ll go and get a real tattoo.”

“As opposed to a fake tattoo.”

“Yes.”

Nate chuckles. “You know you don’t really have to go through with it. If you cancel now, you probably won’t even need to pay any cancellation fees.”

“No. I want to do it. I’m just going to be a nervous wreck about it.”

Now he laughs. I smile at the sound.

“So what do you have planned for me next?” I ask.

“Don’t know yet. You said you’re not ready to jump off a bridge. And your tattoo appointment isn’t for another three weeks. Is there anything you’ve always wanted to do and never got around to?”

My hand hesitates for a moment as I consider the question. “I don’t know. I’ll have to think about that.” I continue sketching. “In the meantime, I can think of something Ihavedone before that I’d like to do again.”

“What’s that, princess?”

My heart clenches at the nickname. Most of the time, when he calls me that, it sounds like a dare. This time, because of how quiet it is, and the softness in his voice, it sounds more like he really thinks Iama princess. Someone precious. Someone to cherish.

“I’d like to go out on your motorcycle again.”

“I can make that happen. I’m actually planning a trip with a few guys this weekend if you’re free.”

“When?”

“Saturday morning. We’ll leave early and ride up to Squamish, stop for something to eat then ride back. Probably about three hours there and back. After, we’ll have another barbecue here. Taylor likes to have people over.”

“Taylor does,” I say, finishing with the section I’m working on and moving on to another area. “You don’t.”

He snorts. “Am I that obvious?”

“A little bit. You like the people, I think. But as many as were there the other night after the hockey game was too many for you.”

He lets out a long breath. “You’re right. Though this Saturday, there won’t be as many people. I think it’s just going to be Mace, Raine, Zach, Doug, and Patricia.”

“Well, if I come on the ride, I couldn’t stay for the barbecue. It’s the last free Saturday before wedding season. My friends and I will be going out.”

“Out where?”

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