The Presence of Grace (Love and Loss #2)(60)

“You, too. How was your flight?”

“Long,” Evie said on an exhale. “But I got a lot of work done, so that’s a bonus.”

“Dinner will be ready in a few minutes and hopefully you can relax.”

“It’s smells amazing.”

“Jaxy, take Evie to your room and show her where she’s sleeping. And take her bag, too.” Jaxy jumped at the chance to help and grabbed her bag, then pulled her down the hall. Ruby, still very much excited about Evie’s presence, went with them. I took the opportunity of a few moments alone and brought Grace back in, wrapping one hand around her waist and using my other hand to grip the back of her neck, bringing her lips up to mine.

“You didn’t have to make dinner,” I said after I’d pulled away, and I loved the way her little breaths panted against my face.

“I know. I wanted to.”

My eyes met hers and I couldn’t help but just take her in, look at her while her body was wrapped up in my arms.

“I’m going to miss having you next to me tonight,” I said, finally resting my forehead against hers. Even though I’d told her there wouldn’t be a problem, she insisted on not sleeping here when Evie was staying. She claimed it made her uncomfortable, but I wanted her in my bed. Every night. The only consolation was I knew for the days the kids were in California, Grace would be in my bed and any other room I wanted her in. We’d both taken the weekend off and I planned on spending it indoors and naked.

“My neighbors probably think I’ve been kidnapped,” she said with a laugh. “I haven’t been in my own bed in so long. My plants are probably all dead.”

“Well, you’re all mine starting tomorrow.”

“Looking forward to it,” she said just before she kissed me again. We were interrupted by the timer on the oven. I groaned as she pulled away, but it was for the better, as both kids came running down the hallway at the thought of food.

“How about we eat on the deck tonight? It’s not too hot.”

“Sounds great,” Evie said, coming out of the hallway. “I’ll take all the fresh air I can get after that plane ride.”

“Kids, set the table outside.” I gave Grace a wink and then went to help the kids.



An hour later and the food was all gone, the wine was still flowing, and the sun was beginning to dip lower in the sky. Grace and Evie were chatting each other’s ears off, and I was enjoying watching two women I cared very deeply about become friends.

I hadn’t necessarily been worried that Grace and Evie wouldn’t get along—it was hard to dislike either of them—but I knew there were reasons Grace could have kept her distance.

I loved that she didn’t.

She took every opportunity to engage Evie and find out more about her, and Evie did the same in return. It made everything seem that much easier, that much more perfect.

The kids had brushed their teeth, put on their pajamas, and said lengthy good nights to all of us. Ruby took her time with Evie, but took even more time with Grace, thanking her for their day together. I walked both the kids back to their rooms and tucked them in, and when I came back out on the deck, I found Evie and Grace both laughing so hard they had tears streaming down their cheeks.

“Something tells me Evie is telling you embarrassing stories about me.”

“I was just explaining that one time, at the lake my sophomore year, how you passed out drunk on the boat deck and your frat brothers spelled ‘Kick Me’ out on your back with sunscreen, and how you couldn’t figure out for the rest of the weekend why everyone kept kicking you.” Both the women burst into another fit of giggles at my expense, and I had to laugh along, because it was pretty funny. Now. Ten plus years later. It hadn’t been so funny at the time.

Their laughter died down and both of them took sips of their wine, and then Grace spoke up.

“Since you’re both here, I think there’s something we should all talk about.”

Evie gave me a worried glance, but then turned to Grace.

“What’s on your mind?” I asked, but I wasn’t sure I wanted the answer.

“Ruby asked me to tell you in private,” Grace said, looking at me. “But, since she’ll be with you a few days, I think it’s important you know, too,” she said, turning to Evie. Grace took in a deep breath and then continued. “Today, while Ruby and I were out having a girls’ day, she got her first period.”

Evie’s mouth dropped open and her hand swiftly came up to cover it, her eyes darting to me.

“She what?” I asked, unclear on what she was saying. Disbelief was the main reason I needed her to explain again.

“She started her period,” Grace replied gently, placing her hand on my knee.

“She’s too young to start her period. She doesn’t even have, you know,” I motioned to my chest and then whispered, “boobs.”

Evie was trying to hide a smile, but I could see it.

“She might not have impressive breasts, yet, but she’s developing. And one doesn’t really have much to do with the other as far as which comes first. It’s not like a chicken and egg scenario. Plus, she’s definitely old enough. I was eleven when I started mine.”

“I was only twelve,” Evie added.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” I said, waving my hands in front of my face, resisting the urge to cover my ears. “I don’t need graphic details.”