Page 131 of Almost Beautiful (Beautiful 3)

“And … I’m thinking about it.”

“The money isn’t good?” Camille asked.

“No … No, it’s good. Really good. I just need to figure a few things out first.”

“Such as?” Thomas asked.

I shifted in my seat.

Olive leaned too far in her chair and fell backward, immediately crying out for Trenton. He rushed over to help her up and right her chair, examining her sore elbow.

“Is she okay?” Jim asked.

Trenton lifted her into his arms, placing a gentle hand on the back of her head as she cried over his shoulder. “She’s okay, aren’t you, Ew? You’re tough.” He took her elbow and kissed it.

She sniffed and nodded as he wiped the tears from her cheeks.

“See? All better!” Camille said with a smile.

“Are you finished, Jim?” Liis asked, standing up to take his plate. He nodded and she gathered a few more dishes before heading to the kitchen sink.

“I’ll help,” I said, standing.

“Nope, you’re the guest of honor,” Jim said.

“I can’t just sit here. Liis cooked!”

“Does that mean I have to help?” Ellie asked, serious.

“No, please don’t,” America teased.

I took more dishes and followed Liis to the next room, leaving the laughter of my family echoing behind me.

“Thomas seems really happy,” I said, turning on the faucet.

Liis smiled, scraping leftovers into the garbage. “I think so.”

“It’s nice to see him and Travis getting so close.”

Liis’s smile faded for half a second, and then her eyes brightened. “It’s pretty cute.”

“Cute?” I said with a wry smile.

“What?”

“I don’t know. You don’t really saycute.”

She shrugged. “Well, I don’t think another word would suffice.”

Liis’s phone beeped, and she checked it. The smallest flicker of concern shadowed her face, and then she stepped away from the sink to make eye contact with Thomas, who looked up from checking his phone.

Travis was staring down at his, a frown on his face.

Liis put her phone away and continued rinsing dishes, and I gathered courage for what I would say next.

“Travis doesn’t quite have his poker face down—not like you and Thomas.”

Liis paused, the water still running over her hands. “What?”