Page 59 of Your Hand in Mine

Skylar nods the same way, as if this is truly serious business. “You might even run into Elsa. Wouldn’t that be awesome?”

I’m about to tell Sky that I’ve already got it covered, that I went and booked some princess brunch package that sounds absolutely brutal. I want to pop an aspirin just thinking about the inevitable sea of screaming little girls packed into a dining hall with their families eating crappy buffet food. And I also shelled out for the most expensive hotel just because it’s rumored that a character fromFrozenmakes an appearance at eight o’clock to read a bedtime story. But that’s a surprise I have to keep to myself for now.

“You love Elsa, too.” Olivia is full on pouting now. “I wish you could come.”

When I start thinking about how much more fun we’d have if Skylar did coming along, I shake my head in an effort to shut it down. I realize too late that Skylar sees the gesture and mistakes it for something else.

The hurt look is gone in a flash, though, replaced by the sunny smile she typically sports. “That’s on my bucket list, Libs. I want to see a blue-footed booby in the Galapagos Islands,” this gets a giggle from Olivia, “walk the cobblestone streets in Croatia and pretend I’m Arya Stark fromGame of Thrones,” that earns one from me, “ride a camel at sunset around the pyramids in Gizaandtake pictures with my favorite characters in Disney World.”

After one more quick hug for Olivia and a quick,Have a great trip, aimed at me, she’s off. I call after her, offer the Mercedes, but she just shakes her head and keeps on walking down the driveway.

Everything about this is wrong. I feel like everything I do is a misstep, and everything I say comes out sounding so awkward that it’s misconstrued.

I’m getting everything wrong.

Chapter Thirty

Skylar

Looking at him in disbelief, I ask, “What has it been, three weeks? I can’t believe how big he’s gotten!”

James is standing on my lap as I hold him steady, pushing off with his legs and bouncing. And he obviously finds this new superpower hilarious because he’s smiling and giggling with every blast-off. My nephew is so freaking adorable.

Sienna laughs and covers her face. “I asked the doctor about it last week. Told him James was three months old and standing already, and then asked if it was normal.” She’s smiling shaking her head. “Yeah, he schooled me.” Pointing to James, she says, “That doesn’t constitute standing or even being able to bear weight on his legs at all. I felt like such a new mom.”

Garth comes in and sits beside me, tickling James’s belly. “He is a month ahead of schedule for doing this, though. I looked it up online. You gonna rule the gridiron like your daddy did in high school, little man?”

“Oh, lordy,” I tease. “Are you about to go allGlory Dayson me right now?” I start humming Bruce’s tune.

“Don’t listen to her,” he says to James. “She was just a cheerleader.”

“Ooh, burn. I amsonot offended right now, but nice try.” I look to Sienna. “Have you seen anyone from school recently?”

Garth reaches for James so I hand him over. “Are you asking if we’ve seen Tyler?”

“No. I was legit asking if you’ve seen any of our old friends. But since you brought him up, how’s he doing?”

“I actually think he’s turned a corner. His Uncle Paul—”

“The one who worked on the oil rig in Texas?”

He nods. “Still does, but he’s back home for a bit…Think he was furloughed. Anyway, he’s a recovering alcoholic and he’s been steering Tyler in a better direction.” He looks up to Sienna and something passes between them before he adds, “He’s been going to Gambler’s Anonymous meetings. Just got his one-month keychain.”

“His what?”

“It’ a twelve-step program just like AA. They give out sobriety chips to mark milestones, and I guess GA runs kind of similar.”

“Wow.” I pinch the bridge of my nose, fighting off this sudden urge I have to cry. I’m so sad for Tyler but happy for him at the same time. “That’s good,” I tell Garth.

“And he stopped drinking…Not that I ever thought he had a problem with it. Guess it’s just easier to slip up when you’ve got a buzz on or you’re in the bars watching Monday Night Football or whatever.”

“What about—”

Sienna finishes my thought for me. “Lila?”

Garth smiles. “He finally wised up and dumped her ass.” Looking to Sienna wide-eyed, he corrects himself, “I meant to say he dumped her butt, didn’t I, James?”

“He still asks about you, Sky. But it’s different now…Just like he truly wants to know if you’re all right.” Sienna looks to gauge my reaction before adding, “He seems genuinely happy when I tell him you’re doing well.”

---