Page 58 of All We Need

I slap a hand over her mouth, silencing her. “Andthat’s enough talking for today.”

“Perfect.You’reteaching my daughter how to be a kleptomaniac.”Patrickwalks in.

“Oh, come to join the party?”Iturn toLottieand blow a raspberry. “Asthe pooper!”

Her laughter is contagious.EvenPatrick’sscowl shifts to a smile as he watches her vibrate into a fit of giggles, wheezing, “Daddypoops.”

When she calms down, he plucks her off the floor and slings her over his shoulder. “Let’sleaveUncleBooto it or we’ll never eat.”

I straighten and head back over to the stove, checking on the potatoes and cranberry sauce.

“Smells good in here,”Grahamsays. “Thanksfor doing this again.”

“My pleasure.Yourgirlfriend helped on the dessert front.”Ipoint a wooden spoon at him. “Don’tfuck it up.”

He sits on a stool at the island, expression contemplative. “Never.Trustme.She’sthe best thing to ever happen to me.”

His face goes all gooey, eyes hazing over.Usuallyhis lovey-dovey show triggers nausea.Nottoday.Todayit pulls at something deep in my chest…

He’s not wrong, though.Quinnbrought him back from the shadows after he dubbed himself unlovable thanks to his wench of an ex.SameforJohannaandPatrick.Myoldest brother had given up on the idea of love, and buried himself in work, but he never forgotJoafter she up and left town suddenly.Whenshe returned, she gave him a new lease on life; along with raisingLottie, she filled his heart.

My brothers haven’t changed; they’re the best versions of themselves.Becauseof a silly four-letter word?

“The water is boiling over!”Grahamshouts.

I jump back, spinning the dial to kill the flame. “Noneed to shout.”

“I said your name three times.Youwere miles away then.”Deadpan, he asks, “Finally, find your brain?”

“Hilarious.”Steambillows around me asIdrain the potatoes and set them aside. “Iwas distracted.Stillneed to catch up on my sleep.”

“Did you not get enough atTheNook?”Histone is suspicious.

Not nearly enough.Plus, last night, a certain woman infiltrated my dreams.

ButIdon’t tell him that.

“Meh.Thestorm kept me up,”Ireply casually.

Then in walksDex.

And boy, doIhave a bone to pick with him.Igave him an earful yesterday about the double-booking situation and his response: my bad.

“What are we talking about?”Dexlooks between us.

Graham jerks his head in my direction. “He’swhiny because he didn’t get enough sleep at the cabin.”

“Hard to sleep when you’re sharing a bed with the owner, you mean?”Hesmirks and knocks his shoulder into mine.

My eye twitches asIfight the urge to pummel him.

“New rule.Holidaysare for family only,”Igrit out, right asGrahamgapes at me and says much too loudly, “Youslept with her!”

Pinching my nose,Isigh. “Forover thirty years, you’ve been the quiet one.Nowyou decide to be a loudmouth?”

Graham shrugs. “I’mnot the one sleeping with the enemy.”

“Jesus.”Iturn toDex, making sure he can read my lips. “Isn’tthere some confidentiality rule you’re breaking by disclosing your guest’s identity?”

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