Love Like Her (Against All Odds #3) - Claudia Y. Burgoa Page 0,46

what happened to her,” I confess.

“I said it then, and I’ll repeat it: We weren’t driving that truck. The accident could’ve happened here in Colorado, and still, it wouldn’t be our fault. We hurt, and the pain makes us take some of the blame.”

“I’m working on it,” I mumble.

“If it makes you feel any better, you’re the best brother a little sister can have.”

“I’m lucky to have you and Nyx.”

“So, where are you?”

I chuckle. “In Boston.”

“Helping your friend?”

“Yes. As I said, I should be back home next week. Text me the information when you gather it, okay?”

There’s a loud wail on the other side of the line. “Go, your boss is getting grumpy. Give her a big kiss from her favorite uncle.”

“I will. Please, take care of yourself.”

“You too.”

Even when I’m here helping Liv with her mom, I wonder if I also came to take a break from the ghosts. The past. From all the noise rattling inside my head. All the chaos that unleashed after Callie died. For some unknown reason, I can breathe a lot better when I’m with Liv. If I could, I’d stay until Beatriz is better. I smile, recalling Liv’s words, “In another life.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

Liv: Leah is adorable!

Liv: Thank you for sending all those pictures. Are you on babysitting duty?

Eros: That took a long time. I thought you were ignoring me again.

Liv: Mom had her last chemo treatment. They’re running another set of tests afterward to decide if they’re doing radiation treatments too.

Eros: How is Beatriz doing?

Liv: The therapist helped, but she still wants to go home as soon as the doctor allows it.

Eros: How are you?

Liv: Concerned. I’m afraid that she’ll relapse.

Eros: Because you won’t be able to watch over her?

Liv: I know it’s an unfounded fear, but I can’t help myself.

Eros: You should try going to a therapist too.

Liv: Are you going to one?

Eros: As a matter of fact, I am.

Liv: I’ll think about it. So, what have you been up to?

Eros: The pictures I just sent you are from yesterday. I spent the entire day at Persy’s babysitting Leah. Apparently, I’m her official nanny.

Liv: You spend a lot of time with her.

Eros: She’s fun to be around. Plus, I can bring my computer and work from here.

Liv: I take it you’re visiting Persy.

Eros: Yes. She and Ford have a couple of deadlines to meet. I offered to help. It’s a cool deal. I get free food while working. the best part is that I hang out and play with my favorite girl.

Eros: When are you going back to work?

Liv: The last week of October. It’ll be good to go back to normal.

Eros: You miss bossing people around.

Liv: I might. It’s fun.

Eros: Hey, Leah is crying from the top of her lungs. It’s time to change her diaper and get her ready before Persy feeds her.

Liv: Good luck!

Eros: Happy Thanksgiving!

Liv: Happy Thanksgiving to you too.

Eros: Where are you celebrating?

Liv: In Boston. Dad and Dan arrived last Monday. They’re pampering me.

Liv: Well, Dan is pampering me. Dad is micromanaging me.

Eros: Where’s Beatriz?

Liv: Mom left for Canada last week.

Eros: Are you okay with that?

Liv: I’m handling it well enough. Where are you spending the day?

Eros: We’re in Seattle at Nyx’s house. Christmas is at my parents’ and for New Year’s we’re going on vacation. They haven’t told me where we’re going yet. As long as it’s warm and tropical, I won’t complain.

Liv: I should propose that to Dad and Dan. Boston is too cold.

Eros: How long are you going to stay there? i thought you’d be leaving the branch once you found someone to manage it.

Liv: Probably another year. After that, I have no idea what I’m going to do.

Eros: I can hire you.

Liv: We agreed that it’ll happen when I can buy half of the company.

Eros: Hurry up, lady. The company’s value is increasing as we speak.

Liv: You have no idea how happy I am that it’s a success.

Eros: Thanks to you. this is your brain child.

Liv: It’s ours. I’m glad you took a leap of faith. If I had kept the idea, it’d be an afterthought.

Liv: Hey, let’s text later tonight or tomorrow. I need to start peeling the apples for the salad. Happy Thanksgiving.

Eros: Happy Groundhog Day!

Liv: You’re not funny.

Eros: What does it mean if you see your shadow? Another successful year. Six weeks of bad luck, or six months of good luck.

Liv: Hey, at least my birthday isn’t some distress call.

Eros: Happy birthday, Livy! I hope this is the best year