“That…” I stopped when my voice cracked, and I tried again. “That is a good start. I know it will help him relax, knowing someone is looking after you.”
“Actually, I was hoping you could assist me with finding someone. I remember when your mom first got sick, she and Carter hired someone to help them out. Do you remember which service they went through?”
“I don’t, I’m sorry, but I can talk to Carter. He could help you set all of that up.”
She lowered her gaze to the floor, pink filling her cheeks. “Would you do that for me?”
I hugged her. “I will do anything I possibly can to make this easier on you. All you have to do is say the word. And yes, I’ll call Carter this evening, if that’s okay? He’s out of town for work this week, but he should be free by dinnertime.”
She nodded, blinking back tears. “I really appreciate this, Kin. And I’m so glad you and Jace are back together.”
Behind me, the door opened, and I knew without looking it was Jace. The door shut as soon as he saw us and then his arms were wrapping around Alicia and me. “What are you two doing?” he demanded in a quiet voice.
I leaned back against him, soaking up his warmth. “We were just talking about getting Alicia a home health nurse or something close to that. And…” I squeezed Alicia’s arm, encouraging her to tell him what she told me.
“And,” she said, “I’m resigning from my job.”
“Really?” He sounded skeptical, but when I looked up at him, he seemed relieved.
“Yes,” she said with a tiny smile. “It’s better for everyone if I’m not making life-altering decisions for anyone.”
“True. But I still wasn’t expecting you to give up your career. Hell, Alicia, you never really had to work, but you devoted your life to that job.”
“I needed something to fill my time while you kids were at school,” she grumbled.
“You’re really going to get a nurse?” She nodded. “Good. When are you going to tell Kas and Gray?”
“Don’t push me on this, Jace,” she warned. “I’ll tell them after I find out if the chemo is going to work or not. Okay?”
His shoulders drooped, but he nodded. “Yeah, okay.”
I wrapped my arms around his waist. “She knows what she’s doing, Jace. Let her do this her way.”
His fingers contracted in the material of my shirt. “Okay,” he groused. “You two better hurry, I guess. Kassa is already downstairs waiting with Gray.”
Alicia made a quick exit, seeming relieved to be out of the room and away from the current conversation. I lingered, wanting a few minutes alone with Jace before I had to leave.
His lips found my neck, his hands falling to my ass and squeezing. “Last night was amazing,” he murmured close to my ear. “Are you okay today? You were walking a little slow downstairs.”
A content smile lifted my lips. “I just had to use muscles that haven’t gotten a workout in like five months, so I’m a little sore today. But it’s a good kind of sore.”
“I’m glad they haven’t had a good workout, baby. Fuck, I was scared you moved on.” He pressed his forehead against mine. “Especially with that Derrick asshole.”
I snickered at that. “That is definitely never going to happen. Even if Derrick doesn’t actually become my uncle, he’s gotten in over his head with someone else.”
“I don’t care as long as he keeps his hands off you.” He kissed me, long and deep, before reluctantly lifting his head. “You better go before I throw your beautiful ass on the bed and keep you there the rest of the day.”
I fell weakly against him, my legs shaky from the power of his kiss. “Why is that a bad thing?”
He hugged me close for a second then stepped back. “My baby sister is getting married today, babe. She needs you to go with her and do all the prewedding ritual things.” He winked. “And then we can spend the rest of tonight just like we spent last night.”
“Promise?” I asked, pouting.
“I promise.” With a groan, he kissed me again then pushed me toward the door. “Go, before Kassa comes up here looking for you.”
The rest of the day was spent being pampered. The three of us had massages and facials before getting our nails and hair done. By the time we got back to the house to change, it was already two-thirty, and Jace kept texting Kassa and me to find out where we were.
I had a baby-blue dress that hit my knees and some nude flats to go with it. Alicia coordinated with a pantsuit t