I’m happy that Walker is here. He puts a smile on Eva’s face, and that’s what matters.
However, I’ve been on edge ever since he brought up the idea of her moving to a three-bedroom apartment in this building. It made the smile Eva had carried all night disappear like a magic trick.
I wish I could climb inside her head to figure out what she is thinking. What does she want?
Maybe I’m just imagining things and just want her to be sad about the idea of not living with me. I want her here. I want to be a family. I want to love her every day for the rest of our lives.
The first time I said it and she didn’t believe me hurt. The second time might kill me. It’s terrifying, thinking about putting it all on the line for her, just to be told she doesn’t believe me—or worse, she doesn’t feel the same.
We’ve already played five rounds of Texas Hold’em. I’m sure Eva is tired. Walker grabs the cards and shuffles the deck … the same way Eva does.
“Where did you two learn to shuffle like that?” I ask curiously.
They smile at each other.
“Our great grandma,” Eva says. “She taught us everything we needed to know about playing cards.”
Walker leans back with a huge grin on his face. “She was a feisty one. We hung on to every word she said.”
“Feisty, huh?” I ask. “Is that where the two of you get it?”
Eva eyes me, a look that tells me I will pay for what I just said. “Will you stop comparing me to this guy?” She turns her thumb to the side in his direction. “You do realize how big of an insult that is?”
Walker gasps. “Excuse me? Is that why you followed me around our entire childhood—because you didn’t want to be like me?”
Eva rolls her eyes at the same time a yawn escapes from her. I laugh at the odd mixture while Walker gives her a funny look.
“Are you all right over there? What in the world just happened?”
“She’s tired,” I insert as he goes back to shuffling.
“Does that mean no one else is up for another round?” he inquires.
“Her bedtime has been around seven for the last month,” I tell him.
He whistles. “All right, Grandma, I’ll get out of your way so you can get some rest.”
“Ha-ha,” she replies. “You’re hilarious.”
We all stand up together. Walker slings his arm around her neck and kisses her temple as we head to the front door.
“I’m just messing with you,” he tells her. “Don’t forget to let me know if you need anything. I’m here for you anytime.”
“Thanks. Love you,” she whispers.
He shakes my hand, then opens the door. “Aren’t you guys proud of how well I’m adapting to this situation?” he says as he backs out of the door. “I’m so mature and grown up.”
“Oh my God. Good night, you loser,” she says, then closes the door.
She looks up at me with amusement.
“He’s a special person,” I say.
She laughs. “Thanks for getting rid of him.”
“My pleasure. He would’ve stayed until midnight if I hadn’t shut it down.”
We move back to the family room, and I begin to clean up the cards.