Page 52 of Unforgettable

“It’s fine if you can’t make it. I understand if you have other plans.”

“I don’t,” he interrupts. “I would love to meet your sister if that’s what you want.”

“Well, I’ve met your family.” I cringe at my response. “I mean, not like seeing Callie will be like that. No fake boyfriend thing necessary.”

“Don’t worry,” he laughs. “I knew what you meant.”

“Okay. I didn’t actually think you’d agree, so I don’t have any concrete plans on what we’re doing, but let me ask Callie if there’s anything specific she has in mind or wants to see and get back to you?”

“That works for me. Or just text, whatever’s easier.”

“Okay. I’ll see you tonight, then.”

“See you.”

A groggy Callie is being dragged out of the bedroom, just as I hang up.

“Poppy,” I chide. “You were supposed to leave Mommy to sleep.”

“But she won’t be able to sleep later,” she insists, and I laugh, knowing my sister has said those exact words to her. “And I wanted to tell her about my new nicknames.”

“Who was on the phone?” Callie asks as she plops herself on the couch.

“Oz,” I answer. “He said he would love to meet you and have dinner with us.”

“Yay,” she says mid-yawn. “But do you mind if we just order pizza and hang here? Poppy didn’t sleep well last night and refused to nap in the car, and I just know she’ll be grumpy later.”

“That’s perfectly fine. I’ve got the whole weekend off anyway, so we can start early. I can even sleep here if it’s easier.”

As if Callie’s words were like a magic spell, Poppy crawls into my sister’s lap and begins to yawn. “Oh no you don’t, missy. You are not sleeping this late in the afternoon. How about we go for a walk, and when we get back, maybe it will be pizza time.”

“I don’t want to,” Poppy whines.

“I’ll get you ice cream,” Callie promises. “Whichever flavor you want.”

“And sprinkles?” Poppy bargains.

“And sprinkles.”

By the time we’re back from our walk, Poppy is feeling her sugar rush and Callie and I are very much ready for dinner.

Eventually, Murph replied that he too would be down for dinner with us, saying he needed to thank the woman who brought me into his life.

It’s six thirty when they both arrive, and after a picture-perfect afternoon with my sister and my niece, I’m standing with my hand over my heart, absolutely overwhelmed.

There isn’t one person under this roof who isn’t important to me. Who hasn’t been there for me, whether it’s a shoulder to lean on or a safe place to be myself. Having them all around me after a hard six months doesn’t just mean something to me… it’s a revelation.

It’s a life I want.

It’s lazy Friday nights filled with easy laughter and love.

It’s a happy life.

It’s also one I’m going to have to give up.

13

Reeve

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