Page 97 of Ruin

She launches herself at him, and he catches her, chuckling as she wraps her arms around his neck.

And I start to feel sick.

He’s taking her to Disney. I’ve never been able to afford that.

And it’s all the way across the country. Meaning he’s going to be taking her away from me. I’ve never spent a night away from Gigi since the moment she was born.

“Mommy! Looks!” She disentangles herself from Zeus and dashes to me. “We’s going to Disney! I gonna gets to see Flynn Wider! I’s can tell him we gets married when I’s a big girl. I gonna need my pwettiest dress, Mommy! I can’t wait to tell Granny Elle!”

She’s bouncing off the wall with excitement, and I’m smiling big for her, but inside, I’m sinking.

“That’s great news, Gigi girl. I’m super happy for you.” I bend down and hug her. “Would you do me a favor? Go grab your reading book from your room for me. We need to take it back to pre-K today.”

“Okay, Mommy!” She runs off, up the stairs, singing “When Will My Life Begin” from the Tangled movie.

My eyes meet Zeus, who’s now standing across from me.

“You should have talked to me first,” I say quietly, an edge to my voice. “You can’t just go off and book a vacation without consulting me.”

“It’s just a few days in Disney World. And I would’ve run it past you, but I haven’t been able to get five minutes alone to speak to you.”

He’s got me there. But still…

“Look, I’m not trying to be a bitch or be awkward, Zeus. It’s just…”

“What?”

“I’ve never been away from Gigi,” I admit. “I haven’t spent a night away from her since the moment she was born.”

His expression turns tender. “There are three tickets, Dove.”

“What?”

“I booked it for you, me, and Gigi to all go together.”

“Oh.” Oh. “Hang on. You’ve booked this for me, too?”

Well, if that doesn’t just annoy the crap out of me.

He nods, eyes carefully watching me.

“And it’s for this weekend?”

“Three nights actually. We leave Friday.”

“I work Friday.” I fold my arms over my chest, feeling somehow wronged that he just went off and did this.

“Not this Friday, you’re not.”

“Says who?”

“Your boss. I had Elle ask on your behalf for the time off. It’s all been arranged.”

“Aunt Elle?” I blurt out.

“Yeah. I told her that I wanted to surprise you and Gigi. She was more than happy to help me out, getting you the time off work.”

And, apparently, Aunt Elle is now a traitor.