wrapped gifts.

He watched me adjust Lily’s dress.

“Everything okay?” he asked.

“Of course.”

The answer came too quickly.

Evan knew me well enough to recognize when I was pretending.

He placed the gifts on the dresser, leaned down, and kissed Lily’s forehead.

“You’re thinking about your mother again.”

I sighed.

“Is it that obvious?”

“Only because you’ve checked her text message six times.”

I glanced at my phone.

My mother had sent me a message earlier that morning.

“Don’t forget the green bean casserole. And please make sure Lily