Page 112 of A Chance for Us
While I’d like to revel in this little declaration, my niece is a master at this game. She says the same thing to each of her uncles whenever they say something to make her happy. I may be the favorite right now, but if Josh gets her a doll or Alex sends her presents, then I’m back down in the pecking order.
“For today,” I say with a smirk.
“Just don’t die.”
My head jerks back, and my pulse spikes. “What?”
“That way you won’t be a ghost that takes my hair.”
My heart rate starts to return to normal. “I . . . okay.” I glance at the kitchen, needing to get some air. “I’m going to get some pizza, did you eat?”
Amelia sighs dramatically. “Dad made me eat.”
“Okay, I’ll come back later.”
She nods once and goes back to her dolls.
That one statement has me on edge. While I may be able to breathe again, I keep hearing her words: don’t die.
That’s the goal here, but what if? What if I do? What if I am sicker than I am prepared to be? I can’t . . . I can’t go there.
My hands grip the counter, and I focus on breathing. I need to rein myself in before I go down a hole I can’t escape.
“What is up with you?” Stella asks as she grabs a slice of pizza and tosses it onto my plate.
“What is wrong with you?” I toss back.
Stella leans against the counter. “Mature.”
“I always am.”
“No, you never are, but that’s beside the point. I’m serious, this week you’ve been sulky.”
“Sulky?”
“Yeah, moping around, whining about everything. You snapped at Jack and just ran away from Melia.”
“Jack was tracking mud in the damn foyer after the cleaning crew finished.”
She shrugs. “He’s a wilderness guide. Apparently, that means nature can follow him. Fuck if I know, but my point is that Josh is the moody one, not you. You’re always laughing, smiling, having a grand ole time with life. This week . . . you’re moody as fuck.”
“Funny coming from you since you’re . . .” I look at her belly.
“I have an excuse. You are worse than Josh.”
“I think Grayson may have him beat,” I add.
“Right!” Stella puts her hands on her hips and looks out toward him. “He’s been a bear lately. Last time he was like this was after he found out Jessica was pregnant.”
“Maybe our brother procreated again,” I suggest, hoping my sister will take the bait. Stella is amazing, smart, and easily distracted by shiny things. Like a baby.
She bites her lower lip. “Man, if that’s the case, we’re in trouble because after Jess’s last pregnancy, he said no more. Plus, Ember is only a year old, but it would be cool because with meandher . . . oh, do you think?”
“You should ask him.”
“Why would—” Stella’s eyes narrow. “I see what you’re trying here. You think that if we talk about Grayson then maybe I’ll forget about the fact we were discussing you.”
So much for shiny objects.
