Family Ties — читать онлайн бесплатно полностью

“Trip needs my help, so I’m headed back down.

Don’t work too late.”

“We won’t,” Christy said. “We’re almost finished anyway. Thanks for the snacks.”

I gave her another quick kiss.

“You two are so cute,” Wren said without a trace of sarcasm.

I grinned and headed back down to Trip. It was going to be a long night, but I couldn’t think of better people to spend it with.

“I brought you a surprise,” she said. She came around the door holding a small lacquered box. She looked at my model and stopped. “I don’t know how you do it,” she said after a moment.

She rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean.”

“Yeah. Thanks. I’m pretty proud of it. I think it’s the best one I’ve ever done. The roof is the best part. Thanks for all your help.”

“You’re welcome. I have something else for you, if you want.”

“Well, you remember I said you needed art for your museum?”

“I made something anyway.” She held out the box. “It isn’t much, but…”

I lifted the box’s lid and scanned the contents.

the silly box. I hope you like the statues.”

“Trip helped me get the scale right to match your model,” she said. “I tried to do it myself but you know me and math.”

She flushed. “Thank you.”

“How did you know so many of my favorites?”

“Thank you. But… if you don’t mind me asking, why do you like that one Rodin statue so much, the one of the old guy?”

She furrowed her brow at my amusement.

“Because that’s a man who doesn’t give a crap what critics think.”

“Okay,” she said as she thought about it, “I can see that.”

“No, it’s beautiful.”

“There’s beauty in everything, I guess,” I said soberly. “Even being insecure and using a statue as a role model.”

“What?” I said, suddenly self-conscious.

She smiled and shook her head and didn’t try to explain. “Do you want to use the statues?” she asked instead, her tone deliberately lighter.

“Of course. Care to help?”

“They’re perfect,” I said. “I can’t believe you added so much detail. I mean, they’re totally recognizable.”

“Thanks. I don’t want to tell you how long I spent getting them right. It’s really hard working that small.”

“I’ll bet! But they’re incredible.”

“They aren’t much, but I’m glad you like them.”

“They’re just like you: small and wonderful.” I put my arm around her.

She rolled her eyes but hugged me around the middle.