Page 83 of The Incredible Ordinary

They twirl. They laugh. They dance.

Theyfittogether.

I tell myself I don’t really care.

Just a little bit, if at all.

Not that it matters.

It annoys me that it annoys me.

The song ends and Jordan executes a perfect bow while Kira curtseys.

“Your turn, Wren,” she says, and beckons to her brother.

Jordan comes and sits down next to me.

“You’re a good dancer,” I say.

He grins, shoulder pressed against mine so I can barely concentrate. “We had a ballroom dancing course thrust upon us in eighth grade. It’s come in handy over the years. I used to waltz around the bedroom with Theo when he refused to sleep at night.”

“He used to fall asleep on Theo’s bedroom floor, holding his hand through the crib,” Kira calls out as she and Wren whirl past the couch. “He took all the night shifts because I’m useless when I don’t get my sleep, and Jordan always handled it so much better.”

Aren’t we all? And anyway, wouldn’t it make more sense to divide sleepless nights? I glance at Jordan, who’s smiling calmly, showing no sign of being annoyed about what Kira said. I’m kind of annoyed on his behalf, though.

Jordan leans his head against the backrest. He’s so close that it’s almost like he’s leaning on my shoulder.

It takes considerable effort to keep my breathing even. To look normal. As if nothing at all is going on with me, even if it feels like I’m burning up inside.

Rory and Theo have wandered off somewhere.

“They’re in Dad’s workshop,” Jordan says with his uncanny ability to read my mind.

I glance at him.

“It’s in the basement.” Jordan yawns. “Theo likes to hang out with Remy, and Rory’s been down there a few times when they’ve hung out here after their soccer tutoring.”

“He doesn’t mind?” I ask.

Jordan shakes his head. “Dad likes the company.”

Dog trots into the room as if on cue, comes and sits down in front of Jordan, and tilts his head to the side. He looks much better already, almost like a whole different dog. The bald spotsin his fur have started to fill in, and he doesn’t look like he’s starving anymore. Plus he’s clean.

“Yeah, buddy. You want to go outside. I know,” Jordan says. “I’ll take you.”

He gets up.

“I’ll go with you,” I say.

“It’s cold out there,” he says with a teasing grin. “You sure you’re up for that?”

No.

“I could use some fresh air,” I say.

We both head to the hallway and bundle up while Dog waits at the front door. It’s honestly notthatcold outside, but the difference from the warm living room is stark enough that I give an involuntary shudder.

Jordan throws me an amused look. “Youcango back inside. I won’t hold it against you.”