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Tyler tapped his nose. He’d always been against dating people from work. “Gets messy real fast. Ask Hen.”

She nodded, a slight smile on her lips. “We’re lucky it ended well for us as a couple, but I know it doesn’t always.” They’d both lost their jobs over their relationship with each other, and it had caused a huge rift between them before they were able to make things work.

Liv said, “Besides, the power differential is kind of gross. I mean, is she really able to consent if she’s worried she’ll lose your job if she says no?”

“Bingo,” I said. “So can we talk about something else?” That woman had taken up far too many of my thoughts today, and I didn’t need her consuming my evening as well.

“Mom and Dad’s fortieth anniversary is coming up this year,” Liv said, the words like a punch to the gut. “I thought maybe we could throw them a party and then send them on that Alaskan cruise Dad’s been wanting to go on?”

Tyler nodded. “We can have the party at the Hen House in the common area.”

Hen leaned her cheek against Tyler’s shoulder. “That would be a lot of fun. Mrs. Bieker has said how much she misses baking for family gatherings, and I bet she could help out with the food.”

Tyler kissed her temple. “So thoughtful, babe.”

Her smile warmed the ice in my chest, at least a little. They were so happy together. My brother deserved a love like that.

Rhett said, “You know I can bring the beer.”

“Of course you can.” Liv rolled her eyes. “As long as you don’t break that cashier’s heart at the liquor store in the next six months.”

Rhett winked at me. “I don’t mix business and pleasure.”

I shook my head at him and put a few hundred-dollar bills on the table. “Dinner’s on me. I’ll cover the price of the cruise. Anonymously.”

“Gage...” Liv said softly. “You and Dad can’t take this feud to the grave.”

I tapped the spot on my bicep, a reminder of what I’d lost and the promise we siblings had made to each other. “He made it very clear he doesn’t like me and what I stand for. If that’s changed, he could ask to talk.”

“Maybe he needs you to make the first step,” Liv offered.

I put my wallet back in my pocket. “I don’t play losing games.”

5

Farrah

My first several days at work flew by, and when my alarm went off Friday morning, I almost felt sad it was my last day of the week. The disappointment caught me by surprise as I woke up the kids and had Cora join me in the bathroom to get ready.

It made sense that I’d enjoy work. After years of being a stay-at-home mom, it felt amazing to make my own money, to succeed at something outside of packing lunches and keeping house. Even though I missed being around my kids all day and picking up Cora and Andrew from school, I was glad to have this piece of myself back. The professional drive inside me always left me feeling a little unfulfilled in my role at home, no matter how much I loved my kids.

I was halfway through my makeup routine when my phone rang on the bathroom counter. Cora looked up from her spot on the counter next to me where she was brushing her hair and said, “You gonna get that?”

I gave her a look. “Where did all that sass come from?”

She pointed at me and grinned evilly as I picked up the phone. “Hi, this is—”

“This is an automated message from Golden Valley Elementary. School has been cancelled today due to unexpected power outages at the main building. Classes will resume Monday as usual.”

“Shit,” I muttered.

“Mommy!” Cora hissed, waving her brush at me like it was a big finger saying no, no, no.

“Shoot. I meant shoot,” I corrected. I bent down to kiss the top of her head full of dark curly hair like mine and then went to find my mom. Dad had already been at Barry’s for several hours by now.

I found her in the kitchen with the boys, chastising Levi for being on the phone at the table. “Who could you possibly be texting this early?” she asked.

“Dad,” Levi deadpanned.