Page 17 of Enemy Daddy Next Door

I look back at Harley. “There’s your answer.”

My older sister groans and then collapses on the ground next to an empty box. “Okay. Let’s get started.”

I’ve let Harley be the packer while I do all the heavy lifting. It’s clear from the bags under her eyes that the exhaustion of motherhood is still ever present as it was when Tana was fresh out of the womb. So she sits while I sift. Just fine with me. It lets my mind focus on other things like, why does Gillian have so many cans of hearts of palm that have expired, rather than worrying about my impending twenty-fifth birthday. “Okay, maybe we should just start with sorting things.”

“Sounds good to me.”

I start handing Harley can after can.

“I liked your new book, Ames,” Harley says.

I smile. Harley was notably missing from the family read of the newest addition in the Petunia series. I didn’t hold it against her. I saw Gillian as a new mom. I know as well as I can what a haze it can become. “Thanks for reading it.”

“Of course! I went straight to the bookstore on launch day and bought my copy. I’ve read it to Tana a couple times, but I’m not sure she understands yet.”

I laugh. “Of course she doesn’t.”

“Truthfully, it made me tear up. It was really beautiful.”

I sigh, handing her a can of coconut cream. “Yeah, I’m proud of it.”

“Must have been hard to write.”

“Honestly, not really. What’s harder is that my publisher doesn’t want to hear any more stories like that for now.”

Harley’s eyes bug out. “What?! That’s crazy.”

I shrug. “They’re saying it’s too sad.”

“Well, fuck them.”

“Harley!”

“Don’t tell me you haven’t thought it!”

I flush. “Okay, fine, yes, I have. A little.”

Harley and I exchange a smile.

“Anyway,” I say, getting to my knees and shuffling around for any other errant cans. “How are things with Tana?”

Harley takes a deep breath. “Great. I’m exhausted, but you know, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Harley really has taken to motherhood in a way I never anticipated.

“I mean, it helps Grant has just been amazing. He’s a great dad and really does his best not to make me feel like I’m doing all the labor.”

“No pun intended.”

“Right…” Harley pauses thoughtfully. “The only thing is he’s already starting to talk about when we’re going to have another one. And I’m just not ready.”

I stop sorting through the closet and drop onto my bottom beside Harley. “He’s not pressuring you, is he?”

“No, no, not at all,” she says earnestly. “Grant’s just worried about getting older. He wants to be around as long as possible, so…” Harley bites back on her words.

I hate that while my sister is confiding in me about her husband’s concerns about aging, my mind is once again drifting to Hunter Ricks. “It must be difficult with the age difference,” I say softly.

Harley laughs sadly. “To be honest, I don’t even think about it most of the time.”

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