Page 57

Kiera could hear Izzy's smile as she talked. "I know I don’t. But I want to. I want to see you and I want to help. I could grab some pizzas and keep you all fed and happy while the little one convalesces, if that’s okay with you?"

“Pizza?” Kiera hesitated, glancing down at Quinn, who sniffled but perked up slightly at the mention of pizza. There was a part of her that did want Izzy here, in her space, with her girls. "Okay," she said softly. "Yeah. That actually sounds really nice."

She texted her parents, insisting they go out to a nice dinner instead of staying home on babysitting duty, and by the time Izzyarrived, arms full with pizza boxes and a bag of snacks, Kiera started to feel more at ease

Izzy hovered in the doorway of the living room as Kiera shut the door and put the bags of snacks in the kitchen. Izzy paused, balanced the boxes and Kiera took in the scene — Quinn curled up under a blanket on the couch, Eliza sitting cross-legged on the floor, eyeing her suspiciously.

"What kind of pizza?" Eliza demanded, arms crossed.

“Whoa now, let’s use our kind words,” Kiera said from behind Izzy, “Especially when we’re meeting Mom’s friends. Eliza, this is Izzy.”

“And I’m Quinn,” croaked the moving blanket on the couch.

“Thank you for bringing pizza and it’s nice to meet you, but what kind of pizza is it?” Eliza said, still stone-cold.

Kiera tried to shoot a desperate look of apology toward Izzy.

Izzy glanced down, suddenly looking unsure. "Uh, cheese, pepperoni, and some fancy one with mushrooms and goat cheese."

Eliza wrinkled her nose. "That’s Mom’s."

Izzy pulled a disgusted face instantly. "Yeah, I figured. She’s got interesting taste."

Quinn, still sniffling, peeked out from her blanket. "Did you bring dessert?"

Izzy hesitated, then lifted the extra bag she’d brought. "I didn’t know what you guys liked, so I got some options. Chocolate chip cookies, brownies, and, uh... gummy bears?"

Eliza studied her for a long moment, then nodded approvingly. "You can stay."

Kiera stifled a laugh as Izzy exaggeratedly wiped her brow and let out a breath, like she’d passed some kind of secret test.

Izzy was dressed up — not anything extravagant, just a simple button-down and dark jeans, but theeffortwas there, and it caught Kiera off guard. Izzy was always more Patagoniafleece and cutoff shorts than crisp button-downs. The sleeves of the shirt were slightly too long, cuffed once at the wrists, the fabric just a little too big on her frame.

Kiera laughed. “I was going to ask if Pete dressed you, but I already know the answer.”

Izzy rolled her eyes but grinned. “She picked out, like, five options. This was the least tragic.”

Kiera let her eyes skim over Izzy again, the way Izzy had neatly tucked the front of the shirt into her jeans like she was trying, but nottoo hard. “I like it.”

Izzy’s grin softened, and Kiera’s felt giddy at the sight.

The evening unfolded with a surprising ease. They sat on the couch, plates balanced in their laps, debating which Disney movie to put on. Quinn, despite her earache, kept sneaking bites of Eliza’s pizza, and Eliza retaliated by stealing sips of Quinn’s juice box. Izzy took it all in stride, tossing in playful commentary and glancing sideways at Kiera whenever their hands brushed.

Eventually, Eliza, turned to Izzy. "Are you one of Mom’s friends who she goes on trips with?" she asked, curiosity in her voice.

Izzy froze for half a second before looking at Kiera, unsure what to say.

"Yeah, she’s one of my friends from college," Kiera supplied easily.

Eliza squinted. "You look younger than my mom."

Kiera scoffed. "That’s an inside thought, honey."

"Thank you. Our other friend Maggie has me on a strict tretinoin regimen," Izzy said, deadpan. "When you’re older, I can share my secrets with you."

Eliza nodded sagely. "You know, you can call me Lizzie, if you want. Aunt Danica does."

Izzy smiled. "Izzy and Lizzie. What a good pair of names, huh?"