Chapter 204
“Lilly?” he asks, eyeing me suspiciously.
I bite my lips. “Uh, no… A friend p>
I can see it in his eyes. He wants to ask something. Wants to dig more about who “The friend‘ is, but he doesn’t. He just stays quiet and turns to watch the twins.
Immediately his posture relaxes, and he looks at peace. The lines around his eyes soften and the tension in his shoulders eases.
I remember him like this years ago on a picnic blanket, laughing at a joke I can’t even recall now. His Eyes bright, and he had finally shed the gloom that had clung to him after Chloe broke up with him.
We had talked for hours and ate and drank. He’d stared at me with stars in his eyes and even though I hadn’t wanted to think of it that way, he had insisted that it was a picnic date. Our hearts were open and the future endless… but something changed, and the future I’d started to see crumbled. 1
Now, he stares at his children with the same look. The same stars. Like they’re all he has left, and maybe they are.
Nova suddenly asks. “Can we see the pictures you took p>
I blink back to reality, shaking the ghosts of the past.
“Sure.” I unlock my phone and swipe to the photos, angling the screen so they both can see.
Noah leans slightly closer too, coffee forgotten. The first picture and many after are of the twins. The last one is a selfie with them I took before we came for ice cream.
Nova gasps. “That one p>
“Yes,” Nolan agrees. “It’s one of the best p>
I smile faintly. “You two look so cute p>
“You look cute, too,” Nova says, grinning. “You should send that to Dad p>
My head jerks up. “What? Why p>
“So, he can put it in his phone,” she says, like it’s the most obvious thing.
Noah shifts his weight, and for the first time in my life I see him uncomfortable.
“Nova p>
“I don’t think p>
Noah and I say at the same time.
“Please?” she begs.
He looks at me and I look at him, hoping he can offer some guidance. I don’t know how to say no to them, but I also don’t think it’s appropriate to send him the picture.
“How about I send your dad the other?” I speak when Noah remains quiet. “They’re just as good p>
“Yeah, but we want the one with you,” Nova pouts.
“Don’t you want me to keep this one?” I ask. “If I send it, I won’t have one where I’m with you two p>
I know; I’m holding on to straws for dear life.
Nolan narrows his eyes and folds his arms across his tiny chest. “Yeah, that’s a lie… We are five, not stupid, Aunt Sierra. We know you can send dad a copy and remain with one p>
I see Noah trying not to laugh from the corner of my eyes, and it makes me want to hit him so bad.
“Please,” Nova begs again, and I give in like the weakling I am.
I send it to him quickly, trying not to think too hard about what I’m doing.
His phone buzzes, and he checks it. For a second, his expression softens into something raw. Something that makes my chest ache. Then it’s gone.
By the time we’re heading back to the car, the twins are bouncing ahead of us, fueled by sugar and animal excitement. I follow, pretending my heart isn’t in pieces for reasons I don’t want to examine.
Noah walks beside me this time. Not behind. Not in front. Next to me. Our arms don’t touch, but they’re close enough that if either of us swayed half a step, we would.
The drive back is calmer. The twins talk less and lean against each other, drifting toward post–adventure exhaustion. I sit between them again in the backseat, their heads occasionally bumping my shoulders.
When we pull into the driveway, the twins wake fully, energized by the sight of home.
“Race you!” Nolan shouts, bolting out of the car.
“No fair!” Nova yells, chasing after him.
“Hey, don’t run on the steps!” I call, laughing as I go after them. “You’ll trip p>
I’m halfway through the front door, breathless, hand outstretched toward Nolan’s collar when I stop dead.
Two people are sitting on the living room couch… Aunt Ava and Uncle Rowan. 7