Page 87 of The Broken Heart Playlist
He smiles at her. “You know, the one thing we haven’t done today is inspect Uno’s working backpack. Could you check it now for me please?”
He hooks a finger on the strap of the backpack at his feet and hands it to her. She takes it from him and reaches a hand inside. The first item she pulls out is a small soft toy of a black greyhound that looks remarkably like Uno.
Gideon tilts his head at the plushie. “This is your reading companion while I’m away.”
A delighted gasp bursts out of Lisset. “Thanks, Gideon!” She cuddles the dog to her chest. “He’s soooo cute. What’s his name?”
“He’s yours so you get to name him.”
Lisset contemplates the dog. “I need to think about this.”
“Take all the time you need,” he assures her.
“I got it! I’m going to call him Toto.”
I smile. “We watchedThe Wizard of Ozlast night.”
“Good name,” he compliments her.
Thank you, I mouth. His eyes crinkle as he smiles at me. He turns to Lisset and I find myself admiring the strong line of his jaw. “Keep checking the backpack, Lissy.”
She rummages around and withdraws four books.
“Toto loves stories,” Gideon explains. “I’d like you to read to him every night if you can. Just a few pages, because he prefers you keep it short. What do you think?”
Lisset gives a vigorous nod. “I’ll read to him.”
“Promise?” he asks, echoing her.
“Pinky promise,” she replies. They entwine pinkies, sealing the deal. I know she’ll stick to her end of the bargain because a pinky promise equates to a blood oath in her mind.
I glance at the titles of the books. My chest squeezes when I realize they’re all centered around themes of loving and valuing yourself. Gideon witnessed firsthand the impact of Oliver’s words, how they’d not only caused her to hate reading, but to also question her self-worth. He instinctively knew she needed books to affirm how truly wonderful and special she is.
He’s thought of everything, from ensuring she doesn’t fall behind in her reading to reversing Oliver’s message. My throat is thick with emotion. I can’t believe he went to all this trouble.
“I’m going to read to Toto right now,” Lisset declares, jumping to her feet and scampering off with the books and soft toy.
“You did all of this,” I say to Gideon in the silence left in her wake. “I don’t know what to say.”
His gaze travels a slow circuit of my face. “Say you’ll miss me.”
I lift my hand and lightly cup his jaw. His beard is rough against my palm. We’re both intensely aware this is the first time I’ve initiated physical contact. “You’re a good man, Gideon Walker,” I tell him in a low voice. “And there’s a strong chance I might miss you when you’re gone.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
[MESSAGES]
Tess:How are you coping without Gideon?
Kate:Fine.
Tess:I thought we were done pretending.
Kate:I’m unsettled.
Tess:Do you miss him?
Kate:Yes. The man is wreaking turmoil in my life.
