Page 110 of The Ex-Best Thing
“It’s more involved than that,” Colby says. “She’ll need help.”
“I know. I’ve been thinking about this all week. I want to do it.”
Benny’s eyes gleam with affection. “You’re so sweet, but it should really be one of us.”
“Why? I love her too. You moved here last time this happened and you both have been taking care of her for the last few years.” I’m being kind of flippant about it to keep things light, but I mean every word deeply. “Let someone else have a turn.”
I can see I’ve stunned them, so I hand off the Chipotle bag to Colby and push Nancy’s door open. “We’ll let her decide.”
“What?” Nancy asks when I come into her room. The color is coming back to her cheeks, but she’s still weak.
“We’re fighting over who gets to stay with you. I want it to be me. You get to choose.” I fold my arms over my chest. “What do you say? Girls night every night? Your nails look like they could use a fresh coat.”
Nancy tries to read my face.
I cross the room, taking her hand. “You mean a lot to me. Let me do this.”
She gives a slow nod. “I want Bree.”
I flash Benny and Colby a victorious smile. “I win!”
Nancy’s hand tightens around mine. “You’re one of us now, Bree.”
“Good.”
“Maybe one day we can get Benny to make it permanent.”
“Okay, slow down, Grandma,” he says, his cheeks growing pink. “Let’s get you home and healthy.”
She smiles. “Now I have something to work toward. I want to dance at your wedding.”
I laugh, my voice ringing out in the room. Benny comes behind me and wraps his arms around me. “I’ll make sure Dr. Ford knows.”
Colby starts doling out lunch meals, and Nancy turns on the TV, looking for something to watch.
Benny buries his face in my neck. “Love you,” he whispers.
I turn slightly. “Not as much as I love you.”
He presses a kiss beneath my ear, and I think I’ve never been so happy in my entire life. Well, almost…I still need my precious Peanut.
“Hey, Nance. How do you feel about dogs?”
EPILOGUE
BREE
It’s beena month since Nancy came home from the hospital, and being her roommate is the life I didn’t know I needed. Rose found out about my identity after seeing us together in the hospital, and oftentimes now we feel like the three musketeers, watchingJeopardytogether, painting our nails, and they’re even taking turns teaching me how to cook.
Paparazzi found us at the new location and have been seen around town, but they don’t live on the sidewalk anymore. I get the feeling eventually they’ll die down too.
Maybe that’s partially because of the security detail we’ve hired. There was a sense of freedom being at the music festival last month and having bodyguards maintaining our privacy, and while it’s not the most ideal way to live, it’s the next best thing.
It means having Benny in my life.
Which we are thoroughly enjoying right now, collaborating on songs and piecing together an album ripe with country sounds that feel more like what I want to be putting out into the world. I’m getting back to my roots, singing what I set out to sing in the beginning. Songs of empowerment, happiness, and love. Benny sings three of the songs with me, and if we ever getthis album on tour, he’s going to enjoy taking the stage with me again for part of the set. Our experience together at the music festival reminded him how much he enjoys the stage. We’re finding a balance.
Like now, as Colby stays with Nancy so Benny and I can travel to New York for Zoey’s engagement party. She gave in and they went full on with the lobster theme. Tag’s family house in the Hamptons is all dressed in light blue and white with red accents. Zoey looks fantastic in a ruby red dress, her hair long and sleek down her back.
