Page 147 of Every Chance After

“Love you, too. We’ll get there. But tonight, we’re going out.”

“We are?”

“Yep, I want you to stop worrying about moving or the G&G or any of it. Tonight’s about fun.”

She perks up. “Fun? Oh, Grady. That’s what I need. Is this… am I dressed okay?”

She twirls in her little summer dress, pink and soft, that moves with her. She’s worn more dresses lately, light, pretty things I can easily slip my hands under.

“You’re perfect.”

“Where are we going?” she asks as I grab my keys and wallet from the table by the door.

“It’s a surprise, but trust me, you’ll love it.”

She takes a deep breath and pushes out her usual smile. She rests her hand on her quilt, draped easily over the couch, and grabs her bag. “Okay.”

She says nothing when we pull into the driveway at Tripp Farm. We’re late, but I texted Mom and Elena with clear instructions to start without us. Marina doesn’t ask questions when we park in the crowded lot, nor does she note the familiar cars.

But at the door, she yanks me to the side. Under the soft porch light, she fidgets with her hands, looking nervous. “Grady, tell me this isn’t a proposal.”

“It’s not a proposal.”

She looks confused. “Mom’s here. Your family. Is that Wade’s truck? Are you sure?”

“Marina, tonight is not that night. Promise.”

Her tension abates in a breath.

“Not that I wouldn’t marry you,” I tack on, suddenly nervous. “I would. I will. Someday. If that’s what you want.”

“And not that I wouldn’t say yes, in a second, it’s just?—”

“Too much right now. I get it.”

“Exactly. I don’t need to be Strange-Tripp, not yet. I just need to be Strange. With you.”

My lips curl, holding her there. “That’s all I want, too.”

“Thank you, Grady… and just for the record, whatever it is, I love it.”

I chuckle. “How can you love it before you even see it?”

Her hands slide over my chest, and she grins coyly. “Because you always know what I need.”

I kiss her then. Hard and soft at once. I have to.

“Yeah, and don’t you forget it,” I say before pushing the door open and leading her inside.

Family game night greets us in a wave of light, movement, and laughter—every game station bustles with excitement. An unprecedented six tables have been arranged to accommodate the extra people, and each game is in full swing. Taylor Swift’s “Ready For It” plays through the TV, and nearly everyone sings along during the chorus. Everyone is here. Peter Pike plays next to Marigold. Ivy, Marina’s nurse from the accident, wedges between Gil and Wren at another table—she visited the clinic last week with her new puppy, Buster, so I invited her. Wade stands sheepishly with my father at the bar, both sets of arms folded but talking nonetheless. Christie and Roy sit on either side of Leonie. Tilly plays with Zoe, Zach, Tamsyn and Colin. Luke and Willow play against Elena and Jim. Mom scurries about, refilling drinks and checking the cameras on the phones perched at each table.

“Eep, Grady! Those are my games!” Marina gasps beside me, grabbing onto my arm. “They’re playing my games!Tickety-Boo!Tic Tac Trivia!Milk & Eggs!Scaredy Cats! Gosh, evenZombie Grocery StoreandPlay Together, Stay Together—that one needs work. How’d you—why’d you—Grady!”

“Games should be played, right? What says family better than a board game?”

Her hand goes to her mouth, probably to stifle moreeeps. The soft glint of tears in her eyes tells me I’ve done a good thing.

“What’s with the phones?” she asks.

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