Page 98 of Until Then

Izzy chews a bite of burger, and once she swallows, she nods and gives Lili a bright smile. “You totally could. You can do anything you want.”

Lili’s eyes widen, excitement curving her mouth. “Anything?”

“Yep, that’s the beauty of the world. If you want something bad enough and you’re willing to work for it, the options are endless.”

Lili turns to me with a determined jut of her chin. “Grandpa, I want to join the circus.”

Involuntarily, I inhale sharply. The move causes me to choke on the hunk of burger I’m chomping on.

“I think I’d like to work with tigers,” she says as I cough. “And walk the tightrope.”

Exactly what I need, my granddaughter dreaming of working with wild animals and walking across a tightrope.

But she’s a kid, and dreams are what keep us going. Right?

With a nod, I ruffle her hair. “Sounds like a great idea.”

She claps her hands, bouncing in her seat. “I can’t wait to tell Mom I’m going to work with tigers.”

Head dropped back, I let out a sigh. Layla will never let me watch my granddaughter again.

Light streaksacross the family room walls, signaling Layla’s arrival.

Lili is fast asleep, with her head on my leg and her little body curled into a ball with Wonton tucked up against her. Moving slowly, I stand and take her into my arms. She stirs a little but falls right back to sleep.

The kid has always slept like a log.

Except when she was a baby.

She screamed nonstop most nights for that first year. My heart broke for Layla as she navigated life as a young single mom. Reid and I have helped her as much as we can, and we’ll continue to do so. I never want my kids to feel like they don’t have my support.

“I’ll get the door,” Izzy whispers, setting her book aside. She tiptoes over and eases it open. In the driveway, Layla is pushing her door open, but when she sees me bringing Lili out, she eases back into her seat.

“Princess, I have to put you in the car.”

Lili murmurs gibberish against my chest, a phrase I’m pretty sure was along the lines ofI don’t want to.

Izzy opens the back door for me, and I buckle Lili up.

As Layla rolls down the window, she flashes me a grateful smile. “Thanks, Dad.”

“No problem,” I say, straightening and tapping the hood of the car lightly.

Behind me, Izzy clears her throat. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to talk to you.”

I turn to find that she’s not looking at me, but Layla.

My daughter purses her lips, uncertain, but nods.

For a moment, I stand between them, hesitating.

Izzy, swallowing audibly, locks eyes with me. “I’ll see you in a minute.”

I’ve been dismissed.

Spying is beneath me, but it doesn’t stop me from peeking through the blinds anyway.

Izzy is bent over the driver’s door, speaking with my daughter.

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