Page 66 of The Last Thing
“Of course.”
I glance up at Wilson, who falls into step beside me. “Just a random little bet?”
His smile melts me to my core.
“Just trying to let the fun side of me out again, Hells Bells.”
“Mhm.” I elbow him, then lean in closer. “For the record, I love seeing that side of you, Mr. Decker.” Then I scamper over to where Sophia is waiting, knowing I just added more fuel to the fire burning between us.
“There are so many flavors,”Sophia breathes, looking around the frozen yogurt shop with wide eyes. Since this was one of the few indoor places open and it wasn’t too far from Linnie’s house, this is where we ended up, and I’m not arguing because there are atonof flavors. And endless toppings. “How many can I get?”
Wilson smiles. “Three. But don’t go too crazy with how much you put in your bowl.”
“I won’t,” she calls, running off to check out the different flavors.
“What are you getting?” he asks me.
“I’m thinking cake batter and oatmeal crème cookie.”
“Sounds delicious.”
Don’t whimper.
I take a breath. A shaky, hitched breath. But I don’t whimper.
Still, he smiles at me like he knows exactly what he’s doing.
Then he winks and walks after Sophia.
I get my frozen yogurt, then sit down at the table, where Linnie joins me a couple of moments later.
“Tonight was wonderful. More fun than I’ve had in quite a while. Thank you,” Linnie says.
I smile at her, glancing out of the corner of my eye at where Wilson is helping Sophia.
“I’m happy I get to share a family tradition of mine with all of you.”
“Me too. You’re our family now. You should share the things that are special to you.”
My throat thickens with emotion. “Thank you.”
She reaches out and rests her hand over mine. “I’ve always wanted a daughter. And I know you and Wilson are still figuring things out. I’m not going to meddle or push, but regardless of all that, you’re bringing my grandbaby into the world, and you make my granddaughter and my son smile in a way no one else ever has. That alone makes me consider you a daughter. You bring out Wilson’s joy in a beautiful way, and I’m incredibly grateful for that. It’s like getting a little piece of his father back. You’re so good for both of them.”
My eyes get a little teary, but I blink them back, giving her a soft, grateful smile. “Thank you. That means a lot to me.”
“And you mean a lot to them. Hold on to that.”
She gives my hand a squeeze and we both go back to eating our frozen yogurt.
My eyes drift over to Wilson and Sophia again.
I’m not sure when the two of them became such a big part of my world, but I know I’m in trouble.
It’s not only Wilson trying to break down the walls around my heart, it’s Sophia too. It’s the family we could be. And for just a moment, I let myself imagine what that would be like, and I make it almost a full minute before my brain reminds me of the crushing pain my heart will go through.
But the more I imagine it, the more I wonder if it’s a risk worth taking.
CHAPTER TWENTY
