Page 119 of One Small Spark
I have another theory: that Mom’s desire to keep her chicks in the nest has only been part of my reluctance to get my own apartment. The rest is all me.
Big changes are scary, okay?
Tess comes over to give me a hug, the sap. “I’m proud of you.”
The way she’s looking at me, Tess came to the “all me” conclusion a lot sooner than I did.
“Yeah, yeah. You should be offering your man to help me move my things.”
“How did I get involved?” Ian asks. He might be a grump, but the tiny lift at the corners of his mouth says he’s secretly pleased to be included.
“I was talking about August,” I tease.
“I can help!” August shouts. “I can carry your weirdos!”
And maybe snag another one, too. He can pick anything he wants.
“It won’t be much of a moving day. Everything I own is in my bedroom.” It’s going to be mighty empty in that cute apartment while I work up the nerve to spend money on furniture.Lucy didn’t have extra fees, but it’s still a big chunk of dough to hand over.
“I’ve got a small dining set and a couch in storage that you might like,” Daniel says. “If you’re interested, you’re welcome to them.”
This intimidating man who puts bad guys away for a living sounds remarkably hesitant. Almost as if there’s some kind of longstanding precedent where I run out of the room whenever he offers me anything. I’ve really been the worst.
“Thanks, Daniel. That would be a big help.” My smile is small for an olive branch, but it’s a start. “And we can still do movie nights sometimes, right?”
He stares for half a second, then looks at Mom for confirmation he heard me right. Then back at me. “Of course. I’d like that.”
“Great. Maybe invite Easton and Evie, too.” If we’re going to do the family thing, we might as well do it right.
His subtle smile—and Mom’s more radiant one—make me happier than I thought it would. “I will.”
“Cool. Oh, just as an FYI, I’m going to take a two-week vacation this spring. I’m going to New Zealand.” Hopefully with Shepherd, but I’m taking that trip even if he can’t come with me. I’ve waited too long. I’m finally going to cross the ocean.
Tess looks like she wants to eat me up with a spoon. Mom is a little more stunned but doesn’t argue.
“I have to go. I have plans tonight.” I take a step backward and pull the pin on my final chaos grenade. “Oh, and Shepherd Callahan is my boyfriend. Don’t be weird about it.”
The kitchen erupts into a tumult of questions as I walk away.
THIRTY-FOUR
SHEPHERD
“This isthe only way to spend Thanksgiving.” Wren’s voice is already a little sleepy. I love how relaxed she is, even if I selfishly hope we’re not going to nap the afternoon away.
We’re lying on my couch, her head on my chest, our legs tangled together. I’ve got a wood fire going in the stove, the occasional snaps and crackles the only background noise. I was going to show her that I finished her bike, but she threw herself into my arms as soon as I opened the door, and I got distracted. The bike can wait.
I subtly pinch myself to be sure this really is my life.
“I have plenty of leftovers if you get hungry.” My mom sends me home with even more food than Ada does.
Wren groans. “I ate enough mashed potatoes to cover a small planet.”
“What about a slice of chocolate-bourbon-pretzel pie?”
She snuggles closer against me. “Maybe just one small-to-medium piece. In a little while.”
I still can’t believe she made a pie flavor for me. It’s added to that molten spot in the center of my heart where she lives, melting everything she touches.
