Page 152 of Lose You Twice

Maybe I could be the other half of her team.

Carefully, I shift the popcorn bowl away from my knee.

Wren moves closer without waking, and I press a soft kiss to the top of her head.

Holden looks up from his flashcards.

Our eyes meet.

He glances at Wren, then back at me.

I expect a comment. A warning, maybe.

Instead, he lowers his eyes and flips to the next card.

By the time the credits roll, Daisy is asleep against Wren’s side, Lily is pretending to be, and Justin has wrapped himself in his blanket until only the top of his head is visible.

Wren startles awake when the music changes.

“What happened?”

“The pups saved the day,” I say.

She pushes herself upright, blinking at the TV. “I knew they would.”

“You missed forty minutes.”

“It’s almost like I’ve seen this movie enough times now that it’s committed to memory.”

Daisy makes a sleepy sound and curls tighter against her.

Holden closes his chemistry book. “I’m headed up. Do you need anything?”

“Did you finish?” Wren asks.

“Most of it.”

“Holden.”

“I have study hall.”

“That’s where homework goes to die.”

“It’s where it gets a second chance.”

Justin crawls out of his blanket cocoon. “Do we have any more gummy worms?”

“No. Go brush your teeth.”

He opens his mouth, but Wren points upstairs.

Justin closes it and follows Holden.

Daisy wakes just enough to insist she can walk by herself before stumbling directly into Wren.

“I’ve got her,” I say.

Wren looks at me. “You don’t have to.”