Page 81 of Until Then

Kids and laughter and happiness.

It won’t be so perfect, of course, but it’ll be as close to it as any two people can come.

I climb into bed and lie on my side. Wonton tucks himself into the crook of my legs.

Sometime in the night, a big warm body joins mine and I let out a contented sigh when he tucks me against his chest.

22

DERRICK

It’s downright embarrassingthe way my heart is racing in my chest.

“Are you okay?” Reid asks around a bite of pancake. My own plate of pancakes sits untouched in front of me.

“Yeah, you seem nervous,” Layla adds. “And while it’s nice for the three of us to be together, it feels like maybe you had an ulterior motive for inviting us.”

Kids see through everything.

I clear my throat, trying to dislodge my heart, and when that doesn’t work, I take a sip of coffee. “I need to tell you something.”

“What?” Reid pushes his glasses up his nose and forks another piece of pancake.

At the same time, Layla straightens and says, “Areyou seeing someone?”

Reid whips his head to the side, scrutinizing his sister. “What makes you think that?”

She shrugs, not taking her eyes off mine. The intensity there holds me prisoner as, around us, the diner buzzes with its usual chatter. “It’s the only thing that makes sense,” she says. “We don’t get together like this often, and when we do, it’s because something is going on. Dad hasn’t had a serious relationship since Mom. Lili and I are finally out of the house. It’s time.”

Reid looks from her to me and back again, like he’s watching a ping-pong match. “Wait”—he finally settles on me—“areyou dating someone?”

“It’s very new.” I fiddle with my straw wrapper, rolling it into a ball. I’m not normally a nervous person, but when I am, I get fidgety. “Like yesterday new.”

I want to make it clear that this hasn’t been going on long. That I haven’t been hiding a relationship from them.

Layla points at me, her eyes narrowing. “Is it the librarian? The one with blond hair? I was at the library once with Lili and overheard her telling the other librarian all about how hot my dad is. So gross.” She gags.

“Uh… interesting, but no, it’s not her.”

“Okay, what about?—”

“It’s Izzy. Isn’t it?” Reid asks, though it’s barely a question. His words are confident, like he knows he’s right.

Leave it to my son to figure me out. He’s always been too smart for his own good.

Layla makes a choked sound, her jaw dropping. “Izzy?” She scoffs, her expression one of disbelief. “Dad. She’smyage. She’s my friend. My boss. Oh my God, is this my payback? Because I brought you here to tell you I was pregnant, hopingdoing it in public would keep you from freaking out? You thought you’d do the same, so I’d be forced to keep quiet?”

“Layla.” Shoulders drooping, I shake my head. “No, that’s not what I’m doing. But yes, it’s Izzy. I like her. Ireallylike her. More than I’ve liked anyone since your mom passed.”

“Dad.” Tears pool in her eyes. Those watery depths feel like a stab to my gut. “Don’t say shit like that. It makes me feel guilty for being angry.” She swipes away the moisture, then turns to her brother. “What do you have to say about this? Izzy’s your girlfriend’s little sister.”

With a shrug, Reid shoves another bite of pancake into his mouth. “I’m cool with it.”

Layla scoffs, stealing his fork.

“Hey!” he cries a little too loud, snatching it back from her.

“You can’t be okay with this. It’s weird!”

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