Page 20 of Only and Forever
I smile. “Thanks, you two. I’m glad you’re here.”
“Course we’re here,” Charlie says. “We would have been here sooner, but we were waiting for—”
“Hey, Char,” Ziggy bursts in, breathless and flushed, book tucked under her arm. “Youhaveto go check out the paranormal romance section. He has the newest in the alien romance series—”
“Say no more!” Charlie squeals delightedly, then hustles off,tugging Gigi by the hand so she’ll follow. Gigi shrugs and smiles apologetically as Charlie drags her down the aisle.
I turn toward Ziggy. “What was that about?”
Ziggy takes a step back, clutching the beloved advance copy to her chest. “Uh. Nothing. I just wanted Charlie to see the alien romances.”
Ziggy is a bad liar. She’s up to something.
Before I can press her, my sister is gone in a flash of long red hair, headed for the paranormal romance section, where Charlie’s poring through books, hazarding a quick, nervous glance my way.
I’m so confused. Frowning, I turn toward Seb. “Whatis going on?”
Seb seems to deliberate for a moment, weighing how to answer me. But we’re interrupted before he can, as my niece Linnea runs toward him, yelling, “Catch me, Trouble!” He scoops her up,Dirty Dancing–style, then launches her into the air, making her erupt with laughter.
I scowl at them both. “That wasourmove,” I tell Linnie.
Seb lowers her to the ground, then Linnie runs and barrels into me, wrapping her arms around my legs. “It’s still our move,” she says, peering up at me, wearing an extra-sweet smile, now that she’s lost one of her front teeth. “I got lotsa uncles and aunts, Uncle Viggo. You gotta get better at sharing.”
“I’m one of seven kids, Linnie. Growing up, I always had to share. Nowadays, I don’t have to, and sharing comes to me about as well as eating only one slice of MorMor’skladdkaka.”
Linnie looks thoughtful. I knew an analogy about my mom’s chocolate cake would resonate. “Itishard to eat only one slice of MorMor’skladdkaka.” She takes my hand and squeezes, pale eyes, just like mine, locked on my face. “What’s wrong, Uncle Viggo?”
Dammit. What is it about my expression tonight that broadcasts discontent? Am I that obvious?
“I’m fine, Linnie.”
Her frown deepens. She tugs my hand until I lower myself, crouching to her level. Then she steps closer and sets her palms on either side of my face. Her eyes search mine. “You’re sad.”
My heart pinches, but I force a smile. “I’m not sad. I’ve got all of you here. What do I have to be sad about?”
“Daddy says you can have good things and still be sad. He says there’s room for all my feelings. Like when I had all of my Squishmallows, but I couldn’t find my bunny to sleep with. I was happy I had my Squishmallows... but I was sad without my bunny. I was lonely for her even though I had lots of things around me. I needed bunny, to make it right.”
“There you are,” Freya says softly, her knuckle stroking Linnie’s cheek. “I couldn’t find you.”
Linnie sets her hand on Freya’s pregnant belly—baby Bergman-MacCormack number three is due this summer—and pats gently before she presses a kiss. “I’m here,” Linnie tells her mother. “Just talking ’bout feelings with Uncle Viggo.”
Freya smiles, watching Linnie affectionately. “Well, I’m sure he really appreciates that. Ready to go look at some books, now that you’re done eating?”
“Yeah,” Linnie says, doing a little twirl that ends in a jazz hands flourish just as the door dings again, signaling it’s been opened. “Let’s go,” she says, taking Freya’s hand.
“Coming?” Freya asks me.
I open my mouth to answer her, but Linnie beats me to it: “Don’t think so. Looks like Uncle Viggo’s got company.”
I’m not expecting anyone else. Confused, I stand, glancing over my shoulder.
That’s when I see Tallulah Clarke at the threshold of my store.
SIX
Tallulah
Playlist: “I’ll Be Fine,” Clairy Browne & The Bangin’ Rackettes