Page 176 of If You Claim Me

“For Everly and Victor?”

She nods. “I want them to have a real home.”

I smile. “I looked into it after Christmas, to see what was involved.”

Mildred’s eyes flare with surprise. “You did?”

“Yeah, but Meems’s surgery distracted me. I started the paperwork last week, after the library gala.” I set Dewey back in his enclosure. After Mildred said yes to a date, I wanted to be prepared for any possible outcome, particularly the best one.

“Seriously?” Mildred’s eyes fill with tears.

I nod. “I didn’t want to take them back after Christmas.”

“Me either.” She settles her hand against my cheek, exhaling an unsteady breath. “But one step at a time. Take me on a date before we start talking about fostering teenagers.”

“Okay, darling.” I turn my head and kiss her palm. “I have something for you.” Many somethings, but one at a time. I roll the too small bracelet off my wrist and onto hers, where all the other ones I’ve given her live now.

She smiles and runs her fingers over the beads that readConnor + Mildred + First Date. “I love that you’re commemorating our special moments.”

She kisses my cheek, and then we head to the front door where she puts on her winter boots, and I help her into her jacket. The door across the way swings open when we leave her apartment, and Flip pokes his head out.

He arches a knowing brow. “Glad you got your head out of your ass.”

“Me, too,” I agree.

“Nice move at the gala the other night.”

I tip my head in acknowledgment. “It felt right.”

Flip nods his approval. “Treat my best friend like the precious gem she is.”

“I promise I will.”

“Good. I wouldn’t want to have to punch you in the face again.” He disappears inside his apartment.

“You two seem okay,” Mildred observes. “Apart from him punching you in the face.”

“That had been a long time coming, and I deserved it.” For what I did back at the Hockey Academy and what I did to the woman standing beside me.

We take the elevator to the lobby and step out into the cold winter afternoon. Mildred huddles into her jacket as a gust of wind ruffles her hair.

I help her into the car before I round the hood and take myplace behind the wheel. “Would you like me to tell you where we’re headed?”

“Is it outside of the city?”

“No, it’s fairly close.” I shift the car into gear.

“Then no, you can surprise me.” She rests her arm on the center console.

That feels like a gift. I cover her hand with mine. “Thank you for saying yes to a date.”

“It would have hurt too much to say no.” She flips her hand so we’re palm to palm. “How is your family? How are Isabelle and Portia?”

“My sisters are okay. This thing with my father really shattered the façade for Isabelle. She’s tired of playing her role. I think my mother is, too.”

“Would she ever leave?” Mildred asks. “Would any of them?”

“I don’t know. Probably not my mother. But maybe Izzy.” She’s struggled the most with the betrayal. “She’s young, and there’s so much life left for her to live. I don’t think she wants to spend it being unhappy.”