“Love you.”
I’d never get tired of hearing those words from his lips. “Love you, too.”
I shut the door and jogged up the steps. As I reached the top one, the door opened, and Gilly waved me inside. “Get in here before you freeze to death.”
I hurried inside and wrapped Gilly in a hug. “How are you?”
She gave me a quick squeeze and released me. “You know me—made of the tough stuff.”
“I hate that it seems like a requirement lately.”
Gilly wrapped an arm around me. “Me, too. But I think tonight is the first step in some healing.”
I glanced over at her. “How does Kay seem?”
“A little better, I think. But things are still rocky.”
Serena and I had both placed calls to Kay’s psychiatrist, who promised that he was aware of Kay’s declining state and was doing all he could to help. But he couldn’t speak about specifics due to patient-client confidentiality.
“I’m just glad she invited me to dinner.”
Gilly squeezed my shoulders one more time and released me. “Me, too.”
“Hey, Laik,” Serena called from her spot in the kitchen. “Hope you’re good with tacos.”
“Have you ever known me to turn down tacos?”
She chuckled. “Not once in the history of time.”
Jax scoffed as he grabbed a beer from the fridge and then muttered something under his breath. Serena sent him a glare. At least, I couldn’t hear his words. When it came to Jax, I was happiest being blissfully unaware.
Chip crossed the room and gave me a quick hug. “Glad you could make it.”
“Thanks for inviting me.” My gaze shifted to Kay. “Hi.”
She gave me a wobbly smile. “Hi, honey.”
That simple greeting made my heart ache. I wanted Kay’shi, honeys, warm hugs, and cookies hot out of the oven. I didn’t want to lose the woman who had taken me shopping for every homecoming and prom dress. The one who had listened when things were bad with my mother and never judged. The one who cheered until she lost her voice at every gymnastics meet.
I stepped into her open arms. Her hands trembled, and she engulfed me. “All’s right now that you’re here.”
But I couldn’t help but wonder if she would still feel that way, knowing Boden had dropped me off. I wanted Kay in my life, but not if I had to pretend to be someone I wasn’t. Boden was becoming an important part of my life, more and more, and I needed her to be happy for me—even if it wasn’t what she’d always dreamed of.
The sound of a scuffle in the kitchen had Kay releasing me. I turned to see Serena giving Jax a little shove.
“Get the drinks, would you?” she asked with a pointed stare.
“I’ll help,” Gilly said, hurrying into the space—I was sure hoping to defuse the situation.
“Sit,” Chip invited. “Serena made one of those fancy charcuterie boards.”
“Ser, you’re officially in charge of food at the opening,” I called.
“I got you covered. Just don’t forget to give me a budget.”
Chip coughed as he leaned forward. “Really, don’t forget to give her a budget. I’ve regretted not doing it since her Sweet Sixteen.”
“I heard that, Dad,” she yelled.