Page 58 of 27 Kisses

“It’s on a chain around his neck. I caught him staring at it.” She shrugs again. “I thought maybe you could help him.”

I nod and pull her into a hug. Surprisingly, she lets me. I'm not sure how I can help. I feel like the ghost of my sister is always between us.

“The tree is lovely,” Aidyn says from behind us.

“Thank you—both of you—for your help.” As Lanie nods, her phone buzzes, and then we’re alone. “I mean it, Aidyn. Thanks for everything.”

He smiles, and for the first time since I returned home, it reaches his eyes. “You’re very welcome.”

My parents return just as the others prepare to leave. After Jane drives away, I follow Aidyn and Lanie to the van. As Aidyn stows their stuff, Lanie gives me a quick hug.

“See you tomorrow, Uncle Garrett.” Her smile is sad. Because of her dad. I know—I feel in my bones that this is true. I have the urge to hug her again, to tell her it’s going to be fine. But I don’t know that. And I don’t want to make things weird.

I smile. “See you tomorrow, Tato.”

She rolls her eyes. “Stop calling me that.” But the corner of her mouth lifts. Once she’s in the van, Aidyn shuts the side door and turns to me.

Panic grips me, my heart pounding. I want to hold him, kiss him, beg him not to leave. But that’s crazy, obsessive behavior. He’ll be back tomorrow.

He nods his head to the left, and we move toward the back of the van, just out of Lanie’s sight. My parents are inside, but it’s highly unlikely they’re watching.

“Are you sure you have to go?” I ask, cursing my weakness.

“I’m sure.” He places his hand on his chest.Over the ring?“Lanie and I have traditions we do every year.” Emotions flit across his face, and I want to hug him and never let go. “Christ, it’s been almost ten years, but…” His eyes reach mine, begging me to understand.

“No worries. Do what you need to do.” I place my hand over his and squeeze.

“I’m sorry about all the drama, love.”

“It’s fine?—”

“Is it?” he asks with a laugh.

I shrug one shoulder. “It will be, right?” I immediately want to grab the question back. It feels weighted with all my worries. And I’m not sure I can handle it if the answer is no.

“I hope so.” An icy wind blows through, and he pulls his jacket tighter around him. “Feck, it’s cold.” His cheeks and nose are bright red.

“You should get in the van. I just— Are we okay?”

“We are. I just need to get things straight in my head, that’s all.”

“That’s going around.” A shiver runs through me. The temperature has really dropped over the last few hours.

Hooonk!

We both jump at the sound.

“Hold on, lass,” Aidyn says, even though there’s no way she can hear him. He shakes his head. “It took me forever to drag her away from Maple.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” I squeeze his shoulder.

“We can do better than that.” He pulls me into a hug and squeezes me tight. “I fucking love you, Garrett.” His breath is hot on my neck.

“I love you too, Aidyn. So fucking much.” I hug him tighter. “But don’t make me cry. The tears will freeze on my face.” Pushing down his scarf with my chin, I kiss his warm neck.

He squirms. “Your lips are cold.”

“You could warm them up.” I kiss him again, right below his ear, and pull away, adjusting his scarf to keep him warm.