He tugged on a soft curl. “You okay?”
“Better than okay. I’m really happy, Gideon.”
“Good.” He studied her before smoothing a stray strand of hair from her face. “I want you to be happy, Gracie.”
On the fifth time around, the ride ground to a halt when they were at the very top.
“What’s wrong?” she said. “Why have we stopped?”
“They’re letting riders off,” Gideon said. “Enjoy the view for a couple of minutes, Princess.”
She leaned back in the bucket, the way it swayed sent excitement to her belly rather than fear, and stared around the entire fairground. “It’s so pretty up here.”
“It is,” Gideon said.
“I love it. Thank you for taking me on the ride, Gideon.”
“You’re welcome, Princess.” His thumb stroked along her palm. “We can ride again if you -”
The sky above them exploded with beautiful bursts of red light. Grace gasped, her hand squeezing Gideon’s as more fireworks lit up the sky. She could hear the people in the bucket below them laughing and clapping with each burst of fireworks.
“Looks like we have the best seat in the house for the fireworks,” Gideon murmured into her ear.
He squeezed her hand and Grace leaned against him as they watched the dark sky light up with brilliant flashes of colour.
Chapter Twenty
Grace parked in Kira’s driveway and checked her phone again. After Gideon took her to the carnival Saturday night, they’d settled into an easy routine of living together and she was practically floating on the goddamn air. But she hadn’t forgotten that the anniversary of Kira and Gideon’s parents’ deaths was Wednesday. With each day that passed he grew more tense and distant.
She hadn’t heard from Gideon at all today even after she’d texted him during her lunch break, and this morning he’d been quiet and withdrawn. He’d left for work while she was in the shower and although she knew why he was acting this way, knew that today was horrible for him, she wished he would have let her comfort him in some way.
You did, Gracie.
She shut the car off and walked up the driveway. Having sex with Gideon multiple times last night was a type of comfort, she supposed. He’d worked late last night, she guessed by choice more than by necessity, and when he got home just before nine, he’d coaxed her into bed almost immediately. He’d woken her up twice in the night to have sex.
She rubbed at her aching thighs as she climbed the porch steps. Although she hadn’t had a lick of insomnia since sleeping in Gideon’s bed every night, he never woke her up once she was asleep. It was a clear sign that he was more upset than he would admit.
She knocked on the screen door and then stepped inside. “Kira? It’s Grace.”
“In the kitchen.”
She walked into the kitchen. Kira was sitting at the table and Connor was beside her, his good hand cupping the back of her neck and kneading gently. Grace sank into the chair across from Kira. There were two large takeout bags from Urban Cuisine sitting on the counter along with a bottle of wine and a vase of daisies.
“Hi, honey.” Grace took Kira’s hand.
“Hey, Gracie.”
“How are you today?”
Kira took a deep breath. “I’m okay. Thanks to Connor.”
Connor kissed her and stood up. “You’re doing okay because you’re strong and amazing. I’m gonna run upstairs for a minute. I love you, Kira.”
“I love you too, Connor.”
He left and Kira smiled shakily at Grace. “He’s been incredible today.”
“Good, I’m glad.” Grace said.
“He’s been back at work doing some admin stuff, but he took today off and stayed with me all day and didn’t -” Kira shook her head. “God, you know this already. You work with Connor.”
“It’s fine,” Grace said.
“I’m a little foggy today,” Kira said.
“Grief can do that to a person, and this is a difficult day for you and Gideon,” Grace said.
“And you too.” Kira squeezed her hand. “I know you thought of our parents as your mom and dad too, Gracie.”
Gracie swallowed past the baseball sized lump in her throat as Kira said, “I miss them so much. Today is a hard day… this morning I kept thinking about how three years ago I was driving them to the airport, and I had no idea it would be the last time I’d ever see them.”
Her voice broke and Grace wiped away her own tears. “I know, honey.”
“Anyway, today is hard and I know it always will be, but having Connor has made such a difference,” Kira said. ‘I’m sad but I’m not drowning in it, you know?”
“I do,” Grace said.
“I’ve cried a lot today, but there’s still been some good moments. Connor’s helped me see the good moments. And,” she smiled faintly, “he went to Urban Cuisine and picked up my favourite food for dinner, and he bought me daisies because he remembered that those were my mom’s favourite flowers. I love him and I’m so glad I have him to help me through today.”
She blew her nose with a tissue and drank some water. “I just wish that Gideon had someone too. Someone who he loved who could help him through today. I worry about him. He’s so closed off about their deaths, and I know he misses Dad especially, but he won’t talk about it or… Gracie, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” Grace said.
Kira made a face. “Shit, I’m stupid. I didn’t mean – that is, I know you’re still staying with Gideon and I know you’re being amazing and supporting him today, and I’m, like, incredibly glad that he has you at his house right now. I know you love him just as much as I do, I just wish he had someone who he’s in love with and who is in love with him, you know? It’s a different kind of support and love than what we as his sisters can give him. Am I making any sense?”
“You are,” Grace said.
“How was he this morning before work?” Kira said.
“Quiet. He left the house before I was out of the shower.”
Kira rubbed at her forehead as Connor returned to the kitchen. “He’s texted me a few times today, but it’s all been ‘how am I doing’ messages and ‘do you need me to stop by’ sort of thing. He said he would come by after work so I’m going to – oh, that must be him now.”
The front door slammed, and Grace’s stomach did gymnastic worthy flips. Gideon walked into the kitchen and Kira hurried over to him. They hugged and Grace stared down at the table, trying to blink back the tears. A tissue was shoved into her hand and she nodded gratefully to Connor before dabbing at her eyes.
“How are you, kiddo?” Gideon’s voice was hoarse.
“I’m okay, actually.” Kira smiled up at him. “How are you?”
“Did you manage to eat today? Because you need to eat. Why don’t I take you to the Urban? Do you feel up to it?”
“Connor made me lunch and I ate a little bit, and he just got back with some takeout from Urban,” Kira said.
Gideon stared at the bags of food. “Oh, right. Okay.”