Page 126 of Could Have Been Us
“Yeah, I’m fine. Why?”
“You’ve been standing there for five minutes.”
“Have I?”
She nods. “Yeah.”
I place the glass onto the counter and walk toward her. “I’m good. Just didn’t sleep well.”
“Did you get the email yet?” she asks.
“I did. It looks like you’ll get to go home tomorrow.”
“I just want him to be better. I’m so glad he got the help he needs.”
“Jack and I want the same.”
And we want you. Please, don’t walk out that door and cut us off. Please see that we love you.
Kinsley wrings her hands. “What time are we leaving tomorrow?”
“Early, I’m guessing.”
“Okay. I just want to get the house perfect before Daddy gets home. I’m going to need to be there for him.”
I nod.
“I’m just saying that I want to clean up and make sure he’s not alone.”
“We would never let that happen,” I reassure her. “We care very much about Samuel. We love you, and we wouldn’t . . . don’t worry, we will make sure you’re home.”
Kinsley steps forward, her hand lifts as if to reach out to me, but then she lets it fall back to her side. “Thanks, Stella. You have been so nice, and I’ve had a great time with you and Jack. I know that’s weird because it shouldn’t be . . . fun, but it has been. I’m glad that, if I had to go anywhere, it was here with you guys.”
My chest grows tight, and I fight back the urge to cry. I don’t want to lose it now, not when I have so little time left with her. I want to hold her tight, never let her go, and spend every day getting to know her more.
I hate myself for ever giving her up.
“We’ve really liked getting time with you too, Kinsley.”
She smiles. “I know. Where’s Jack?”
“In the shower.”
She nods. “Is he going to spend the day with us?”
I pause, not sure what the hell to say. All of this is so awkward, which it wasn’t before.
The truth it is. “I think so. Do you want breakfast?”
“Sure.”
She comes around the counter and I gather the ingredients to start making my famous waffles—which aren’t famous but are the only thing I can cook.
Kinsley hands me ingredients while I combine the batter, and we work as a team. Jack emerges from the bedroom, looking all too delicious.
“Jack!” Kinsley calls in greeting.
He chuckles, looking at the pair of us. “You are covered in flour.”
