Page 17 of This Heart
Winnie nodded. “Rora.”
Nathan looked at me, then back at Winnie. Then he made her a promise I wasn’t sure he could keep. “Aurora will be by soon to visit, I promise.”
Frowning, I shook my head when Nathan glanced back my way. He ignored me and headed out of the kitchen. I followed him up the steps and to her room. After reading to her, I watched my best friend expertly put my daughter to bed then quietly left the room. I walked over and kissed her goodnight, tucking Perry the Moose next to her side. A small bunny that her mother and I had bought for her was on her other side. She said her little prayers and whispered goodnight to Hope.
“Sleep well, my precious angel.”
She smiled and whispered goodnight to me.
I turned on her nightlight and shut her door halfway before returning downstairs. Nathan was at the front door, saying goodbye to Jake and Opal, who were about to leave as well.
“Thank you for getting her ready for bed.”
Opal grinned. “It’s always a pleasure. I see she’s adjusting to her big girl bed.”
“She is! Hasn’t crawled out of it yet.”
Jake laughed, then turned serious. “Make sure the alarm is set each night.”
I crossed my heart. “Will do.”
After I said goodbye and shut the door, I faced Nathan. “Why would you promise Winnie that Aurora would come to visit.”
Nathan shrugged.
“Nate, I can’t have people making promises to Winnie and then her heart be broken in two.”
“Then fucking do something to make up with my sister, Liam. Fucking hell, you’re hardheaded.”
He opened the front door. “You really should go get laid, Liam. You’re too fucking tense.”
And with that, he walked out and quietly shut the door behind him.
I huffed and opened the front door. He was about to get into his car when I yelled out, “Getting laid isn’t going to fix my problems!”
Nathan stopped, looked around, and laughed as he slipped into his car. One quick look across the street, and I saw Mrs. Randall on her porch. Even from where I stood, I could see her mouth hanging open.
Lifting my hand, I waved. “’Night, Mrs. Randall!”
Before she could say a word, I quickly shut my door and made my way into the family room. Jesus, my life was still a mess. I poured a double whiskey and stared at it for a good five minutes before I tossed it back and shut all the lights off. Then I made my way to my bedroom—but not before setting the alarm.
Aurora
The bell above the door rang, and I looked up to see Gary walking in. He glanced around the bookstore and made his way over to the new release table.
“Who is that?” Lou asked.
“That is the new city finance director,” I replied.
My younger sister straightened her posture, which caused her boobs to lift and then she spat out her gum. “Yummy!”
I laughed. “Down, girl.”
She turned to me and pursed her lips. “I see. You’ve got dibs.”
“Dibs?” I asked with a humorless laugh.
“Yeah, you saw him first, so you’re calling dibs. I respect that.”
