Page 98 of A Better Place

I snicker. “I see that. Hungry?”

“Starving.”

I reach over and grab her hand then thread our fingers together and rest our joined hands on my thigh. I rub my thumb over her knuckle then lift our hands and kiss the back of hers. She turns her head and looks over at me through the dark interior of the SUV.

“Thank you,” she says.

“For?”

“Everything.”

I smile over at her even though she probably can’t see it, and I kiss her hand once more.

It’s such a simple statement, but it hits me in my gut, and if I were standing up I have no doubt my knees would buckle.

The drive over to my sister’s house is a short one, so it’s crazy that so much was said in the few minutes. And in such a few words.

Soon we’re pulling up to Tess’s house and as hungry as I am, I also want to relish those words. But I know that Tess will know we’re here already because she’s a freak and has beyond a sixth sense, more like a twelfth sense too.

We walk up to the house hand in hand and let ourselves in the front door. Long ago we stopped knocking at each other’s homes.

I can hear the typical fury of commotion that is the Ryan’s household as we walk into the kitchen.

“Hey, everyone,” I say.

There’s a chorus of hellos, but no one seems to be too affected by our appearance.

Tess is at the stove stirring what looks to be some fried apples, Barrett is cutting up a large roast beef, and the kids are working together to set the plates. Maggie is placing a plate of twice-baked potatoes in the center of the farmhouse-style table that Barrett built for Tess years ago.

Harper looks at us first and rushes past me directly into Carly’s arms. She hugs her tightly around her stomach.

“Ms. Hanson! I missed you! Did you miss me?”

“Of course! I always miss you when we’re not at school.”

“I kind of figured that,” Harper says, making all of us laugh.

“Need any help?” I ask.

Barrett looks over his shoulder and does a double-take. “Nah, we got— What the hell?”

“What?”

“What the hell are you wearing?”

I look down at my clothes, wondering what he’s talking about, and look over at Carly in question. She busts out laughing, causing the rest of the family to stare at me, apparently wondering what’s so funny.

Grady speaks up first. “Uncle James, is there some other news you needed to tell us?”

“I’m so confused. What are you talking about?” I’m wearing a pair of dark jeans, brown boots, and a long-sleeve navy blue Henley. Not to brag, but thinking I’m looking pretty damn good.

“Oh my gosh, what did you put on?”

Still.

Confused.

“What? What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?” I ask, gesturing to my clothes.

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