Page 188 of You've Got Hate Mail
She playedbothof them.
Got Ten drunk enough that he’ll be sleeping it off and out of Mabel’s hair all afternoon, and she gave Pip a reason to sell the wine.
“How about a granola bar and a nap?” I say to Pip.
“Can I sleep with the chicken?”
“Only if the chicken agrees.”
“Tell Mabel I said I’m opening this winerymyway.”
“I’m gonna let you do that one yourself.”
“Don’t worry, Pip,” Cricket says. “I’ll remind you.”
Pip grins at her too. “You’re good for us, ladybug.”
Cricket beams. “Not as good for us as you are.”
Ten snores.
Pip leans on my leg and hugs it.
I make eye contact with Cricket again, and I lose my breath.
She’s pulled her knees up to her chest, and she’s smiling at me like I’m her hero. “You’re so good at taking care of people.”
“You’regood at taking care of people.”
She is.
She’s taken care of me since she started to pull herself out of the aftermath of her trauma.
When I didn’t even realize she was doing it.
Giving me exactly what I needed.
“I hope you know you deserve to be taken care of too though,” she says.
“Starting to catch on.” I lift Pip up into my arms. “I’m gonna get her back to the house. You good here until I get back?”
She nods. “All part of the plan.”
“You’re fucking incredible.”
She winces. “Five bottles might’ve been too many. I should’ve told him you drank three.”
“Drank with him before. He’ll be fine.” I pause. “You okay?”
She flashes a smile that I want to kiss. “Almost as sober as sober gets. This wine isreallygood. It’s aged well. Also, I’m highly entertained. These two together—they’re hilarious.”
“You’re a scary bitch,” Pip grunts.
“Hilarious, Pip,” I say. “Cricket loves that you’re uniquely you.”
“I absolutely do,” she agrees.
“Back in fifteen,” I tell her.
