Page 118 of The Holiday Fakers
“Marisa’s hurting that I’ve moved on. On some level, she felt guilty for cheating and deflected the blame for our breakup onto me. That was okay when I wasn’t in another relationship, but now that I am, she’s lashing out.”
Piper’s cheeks flush, her gaze dropping. “So, have you … I mean, are we …”
“In a relationship?”
She nods.
I place a finger under her chin and lift it so her eyes return to mine.
“I sure hope so.”
The color in her cheeks deepens.
“If that’s what you want,” I continue.
“Yes, please.”
“Good. Because now that I’ve finally got you, I never want to let you go.”
She blinks, her eyes glassy with unshed tears, and my heart expands so much there’s not enough room to breathe.
Can I tell her I love her? Is it too soon? Will she believe me?
“Kids!” a cry comes from the hallway.
Piper jumps off the bed and opens the door a crack. “Hi, Mom. Do you want us down for breakfast?”
I pull on my gray sweatpants and adjust myself for decency, then pick up a tray from the dresser. Erica must have realized we didn’t want to be disturbed last night and left food outside our door.
“Does she want this?” I ask. “I can bring it down now if she does.”
“I’ll have that,” Erica says, opening the door wide and taking the tray from me.
“Mom!” Piper begins.
“What, honey? You’re taking a break from snuggle time. I’m not interrupting anything.”
I resist a glance at the molding where the wall meets the ceiling, trying to find the hidden cameras I’m paranoid she’s installed.
“I just wanted you to know that Judy Lowell called this morning. Billy’s mom,” Erica continues. “Apparently, Billy got out of the hospital last night and isn’t taking well to enforced rest. He’s asked if you both could visit today.”
“Of course,” Piper replies. “Unless you and Marv have another packed schedule for us today?”
“I don’t know, honey. There’s plenty going on in town, but Marv hasn’t come by yet this morning.”
“Maybe he thinks we’ve done enough to get Brody in the press?”
“Perhaps. You did create quite the stir yesterday with Billy. I expect Sonia will send you a basket of fruit.”
“Hernandez. The reporter fromDown East News Now.I think she’s hoping for a call from one of the big networks after her scoop with you yesterday.”
Erica leans forward like she’s about to impart a big secret.
“And that’s another thing. Little Billy is desperate to be interviewed by her. Judy says his account of the rescue now includes a polar bear.”
I chuckle. “I told him his story had to be more exciting than what actually happened.”
Erica’s eyes widen. “Are you kidding me? Grant and Walter trekked back to retrieve Billy’s belongings first thing this morning, and?—”
