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“I have Baylor’s present in the back of my truck,” Hollis says. “Couldn’t exactly wrap it, so I’ll bring it in whenever she’s going to open her presents.”

I whip my head in his direction. “What’d you make her?”

My voice is accusatory because let’s face it, I’m a competitive guy and I want to be Baylor’s favorite uncle. If his gift is bigger, then he wins. Hollis is a talented woodworker, and he makes something for her every year.

“Emelia had mentioned how often Baylor wants her to play Barbies with her, so I made her a Barbie house. Like a dollhouse but a little bigger.”

“She’s gonna love that.” Elliott squeezes Hollis’s shoulder, then turns his attention to me. “She’ll love what you got her too.”

I roll my eyes. “Of course, it’s better.”

“What is it?” Hollis asks.

“You’ll see.”

They both share a look. Yeah, I didn’t make her a Barbie house, so I’ll just have to do what I always do and win her over with my fun uncle antics.

“I was glad to see Collins actually showed up,” Elliott says.

“She came?” My gaze darts through the crowd, but I don’t see her. I was so busy on my phone, I didn’t catch her coming in.

“Yeah, she was over by the bouncy house with Nina last I saw.”

I nod and push off the wall. “I should probably go say hello. I’ll catch you guys later.”

After a few steps forward, I spot her near the side of the bouncy castle, but just as I head in that direction, she breaks away from Nina and heads toward the food and drink tables.

I follow and come up beside her in front of the table, looking at the birthday cake. “Hungry or just avoiding conversation?”

She peeks at me, her shoulders slumped. “Is it that obvious?”

I frown. I wasn’t being serious, but it seems I’ve stumbled onto something. “Everything okay?”

Collins seems to think better of what she said and tucks her long blond hair behind one ear, straightening her spine and lifting her chin a little. “I meant is it that obvious that I’m starving and want to dig into this cake?”

I shake my head. “Don’t do that.”

Her forehead wrinkles. “What?”

“Try to hide what you’re actually feeling.”

“I’m fine, Ansel.” There’s a hint of irritation in her tone, and she turns to face the table again.

“Collins…” I step beside her and rest my hand on her back, directing her to the side of the table. “Talk to me. What’s going on?”

“Nothing is going on. I’m just tired. Didn’t sleep well last night.”

She’s obviously lying about being fine—but she definitely looks tired—but I don’t call her out on it. She’s here, and I never thought that would happen.

“I’m glad you came then. Everything good with the smoke detectors? No more incessant chirping?”

Her lips tip up. “Yeah, no problems. Thanks again for helping me. I thought I was going to go crazy if I had to listen to that sound anymore.”

There’s a beat of awkward silence between us. Something that seems to happen almost every time I see her. I know why it’s there. It’s because we’re always avoiding the one thing we should be talking about, or the one person.

I open my mouth to speak, but she beats me to it.

“I’m going to get going. Thanks again for inviting me. Can you please give my best to Elliott and Emelia?”