Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 93307 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93307 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
I grab the remote and find the already purchased Little Mermaid on Prime. Despite the $10.99 cost I had to endure, we’ve more than gotten our use out of it. I swear, over the past year of occasionally watching Gracie on the weekends, we’ve seen this movie no fewer than fifty times.
As the movie starts to play, Gracie settles in closer to Katy’s lap while she expertly braids her hair. I can tell by the way my niece’s eyes start to look heavy that we’re barely going to get “Under The Sea” before she’s conked out.
Even with the adorable braid complete, Gracie doesn’t leave Katy’s lap. Instead, she cuddles closer to her, gently wrapping her arms around Katy’s shoulders.
The sight of them cuddled up together reminds me of why Katy is such a good teacher. She’s patient and kind to her students. She’s supportive and reassuring while still managing to get them to work hard.
And when it comes to spending time with my niece tonight, she’s been nothing but sweet to her. She’s played games and joked and given in to all of her bossy little whims, just like I do. An outsider would think Gracie is Katy’s niece with how tender and caring she is with her.
One day, she’s going to be an amazing mother.
I don’t know why, but that thought makes my chest feel tight and my heart feel oversized.
Instantly, I get up from the couch and head into the kitchen to grab some water and stretch my legs. I even manage my short break without any questions because neither one of the girls notices my departure. Both of them are too focused on Ariel swimming on the screen.
By the time I get back, my head feels a little less fucked up, but the sight of Katy and Gracie now fast asleep on my couch—still cuddled up together—makes my chest feel all tight again.
This time, though, I can tell the tightness doesn’t come with any pain.
At half past eleven, three knocks sound on my door, and I hop off the sofa on quick feet to answer it.
“Hey,” I greet with a whisper when I open the door and find Tom and Lizzy on the other side.
I silently gesture them into the living room, where Katy and Gracie are still sound asleep on my sofa.
“Busy night?” Lizzy asks and I nod, smiling down at the cuddle buddies.
“Pizza, ice cream sundaes, a dance party, a marathon game night, and they could only make it through half of The Little Mermaid.”
“Sounds like quite the party,” Tom comments with a grin. “I bet Gracie was in seventh heaven.”
“She definitely had a good time.”
“Should I try to get the little monster to the car?” Tom asks, and Lizzy nods immediately.
“I’m so tired I can hardly see straight. I’m not used to nights out anymore.” She cuts hard eyes to Tom. “You’d better not wake her up.”
“No pressure or anything, huh?” Tom teases and slaps an affectionate hand to my back. “Thanks for watching her, Mack.”
“Anytime, man.”
He heads over to the couch and carefully lifts Gracie up into his arms. Katy doesn’t startle at all, and my niece only lets out a little annoyed groan before settling her head against my brother-in-law’s chest.
He doesn’t waste any time heading out of my apartment, and I follow his lead to the front door. Lizzy, on the other hand, stops beside me as Tom walks toward the elevator, and I look down at her in confusion.
“I thought you were so tired you had cataracts or something?”
“Oh, I am. Though, I’m not sure my vision wasn’t affected even before now.” Her eyes twinkle with amusement. “Katy.” She says her name like it’s explanation enough.
“What about Katy?”
“Oh, don’t be so dense, baby bro!” she whisper-yells and smacks my arm. “I’ve never in my life seen you invite a woman to stay in the presence of your family, and I’ve certainly never seen you dip into dating at work. I mean, a woman you work with?” she muses. “That’s hard to get away from.”
“We’re coworkers and friends.” And we have a lot of fun together.
“Right,” she retorts. “I often wear nothing but an overcoat to visit my friends.”
“I don’t know if you want me to get into all the dirty details, sis, but yes, we also have intercourse.”
She searches my eyes closely. “I can’t decide if you’re purposely keeping the details from me or if you’re being stupid and not letting yourself realize you’re, like, really into her.”
“I’m not denying that I like Katy. Of course I do,” I answer. “She’s awesome. I love hanging out with her.”
“This is something else. She means something to you.” She reaches up to pinch my cheeks like a mother hen. “Don’t be stupid with her,” she says.
I roll my eyes, and she smacks the back of my hand.