Page 72 of Look My Way
Sucking my teeth, I hit the button on the belt and push open the car door. Zavier jumps out, meeting me on the other side by the time I step onto the pavement. He doesn’t stick out his hand but walks side by side with me so it’s easily in reach as we approach the house.
After I lift my hand and lower it several times, Zavier rubs my back, and his eyes are full of encouragement as he guides my hand forward. His fingers hold on to my wrist, giving me the courage I need to finally knock.
The door quickly opens before I can hit it a third time and Tabitha is smiling on the other side. “Liam. You’re here.”
“I am.” Clenching my jaw, my arms hang low at my sides, unsure what they should be doing.
“I hope the drive went smoothly.”
“It did.” Zavier answers first. “This is a lovely home you got here.”
“Thank you. It’s even better inside.” Laughing, she steps to the side to usher us in. “Mom should be here soon. Dad’s stuck at work, so he’ll be joining us later for dinner.”
“I wasn’t expecting to see them today.” My voice strains a little.
“Yeah, I told them you’d probably want to settle in a little, but they insisted on seeing you before the party.”
“It’ll be good to see them.”
“It’s great to see you,” she says, eyes bright. “Come here, let me look at ya.”
Lifting my hands in the air, I step closer and do a little spin. We both laugh and she smiles, lifting her hand to her mouth. “You’re looking a lot happier than last time you came up here. More free.”
“I am.” Without meaning to, I look up at Zavier and back to her. She grins between us and reaches over to squeeze my arm.
“Will it be too much if I gave you one of my big suffocating sister hugs? I have to make sure you’re really real.”
The feeling is mutual, so I nod and open my arms. She steps into my embrace, wrapping her arms tightly around me and clapping my back as she sways us side to side. Lifting her head, tears gather in the corners of her eyes. “We may have to do this again after lunch so I’m really sure it’s you.”
I lean back and swipe red hair from her eyes. “It’s me, Tabby. I’ll be here all weekend.”
Releasing her hold, she steps back and places her hands on her face while bouncing on her feet. “It’s just . . . I didn’t think we’dever have you over again.” She wipes at her eyes. “I’m sorry. I’m being a total sap right now.”
“That’s cause you are a total sap. Not just now but all the time.” I chortle. “Now where is that nephew and niece of mine?”
A hand runs through her hair and she looks around her. “I don’t know. Somewhere. In their rooms probably.” Her gaze falls behind me and she cups her mouth, yelling for the kids to come down. “Kids. Your long-lost uncle is here.”
Footsteps hit hard against the stairs and Layla is the first to swing around wearing a surprised look. “Uncle Liam!”
“Hey, there’s my girl.” She jumps into my arms before I can fully open them, laughing as I spin her around. “Look how big you’ve gotten. Your hair is so long.” I set her down on the ground, my smile widening. It feels so good to be around my family again. Another little voice yells from behind me, as my nephew barrels into me, his head slamming into my stomach. Laughing, I hug Jacob and lean down to ruffle his hair.
“Hey there, bub.”
Looking up at me without fully letting go, he smiles and then presses his cheek to my stomach again. “Please say you’re going to be here for my birthday too.”
“I am.” I pat his back and Tabitha laughs, rubbing her son on the shoulder.
“Okay, give your uncle a chance to breathe. How about going to help Dad in the kitchen?”
“Okay.” Jacob’s shoulders sag and he drags his feet to the kitchen.
“Don’t worry, you’ll see your uncle all weekend,” she calls out, laughing a little.
“If they need some more help, I don’t mind lending a hand.” Zavier tugs at the back of my shirt with his eyes on my sister.
She stands with her hands on her hips, eyes lifting. “I’m sure they’ll take all the help they can get.”
“Great. You two enjoy catching up,” he says, leaning down to kiss my cheek. I give him a silent thank you, and he kisses me on the nose before heading in the direction my niece takes off in.
