“It will for now, and who knows, if there’s a place for me there, I might take it.And if not, I’m not worried.I want to take my time and figure out what’s next.I want something I love and to make sure I’m doing it for the right reasons.”
My chest tightens—in a good way.
“Hey, Grace, Mad.”Wren pushes through the crowd with Oliver behind her.
We wave as they near, and I ask, “You still stepping down at the end of the school year?”
“What?”Grace frowns, looking from Wren to me.
A flicker of a grimace ghosts Wren’s features.“I’m not changing my mind.Can’t.As much as I love to coach, and I’ll help when I can, Bright Horizons has exploded faster than anyone expected.It needs all my attention.”
“Which means I’ve got to find a new assistant coach.”I tug Grace closer.
Grace arches a brow.“Oh.”
“Hey, we make a good team.”I kiss her forehead, allowing the hint to linger.
She laughs, bumping her hip into mine.“You just want to keep me under supervision.”
“I want you with me.”The admission flows easily.“Every minute of every day.”
She doesn’t deflect or joke it away, only studies me, eyes warm and sure.
“Aren’t you two adorable.”Oliver punches my arm playfully.
“Only trying to be like you and Wren.”I arch a brow, and we all laugh.
Then Grace says, “Wren, I’d love to learn more about Bright Horizons.Maybe we could grab a coffee and chat?”
“Sure.You know, I’m going to Helena after New Year’s for the day, you should come.That’s the best way to see it in action.”
“I’d like that, if it works out.”Grace shifts her attention to me.“I’m heading to LA early in the new year.I need to pack up my place, talk to my parents.”She makes a face.“You know, finish things properly, make it official.”Her gaze moves over our little group.“Winslow Grove will be my home.”
Damn, I love hearing her say that, and Wren clearly agrees, considering she raises her hands and cheers.Oliver lets out a low whistle.“It’s about time.”
Grace laughs, and I relish the weight of her joy.
The four of us stroll into Santa’s Workshop, where long tables are covered in glitter, paint, ribbon, and half-finished ornaments.Someone hands us each a blank wooden star and a cup of hot cider.Grace immediately gets glitter on her gloves, and not too soon after, I end up with red paint on my sleeve.She grins at me like it’s a win.
By the time we hang our ornaments on the drying rack—hers neat and thoughtful, mine lopsided and unapologetic—Wren and Oliver say their goodbyes and leave, arguing playfully about whose ornament turned out better.Grace and I linger for a beat, laughing quietly, then step out into the cold.
“I was thinking, over spring break.”She swings our joined hands between us.“We should go to New York so you can meet Buffy and Palmer.”
“Already cleared my schedule.”She doesn’t know Buffy has already made it clear that I have no choice.She must meet me.
When Grace changed her New York plans for Christmas, Buffy wasn’t too happy, though she did love her sister’s new living arrangements.
Grace raises an eyebrow and smiles, the kind that lights up her baby blues.“Wait… Buffy… she?—”
“Yeah, Buffy has already called me—a few times.”
“I knew giving her your cell number wasn’t a good idea.”She chuckles.“Did she tell you about their plans to visit us for this summer?”
“Yup.”My smile is so wide it hurts.“The town’s not ready for her.”
“Neither are you.”She beams up at me.“We may be twins, but we’re different.Buffy will keep you on your toes in a different kind of way.”
I let out a rich, deep laugh.“Bring it on.”