“Hi,” she says, sounding more shy than I’ve ever heard her as she glances at me and then my dad. “Hey, pretty girl.” Dad grins at her. She hands off the food with a kiss and then steps to his bedside. “How are you?” “Old and too sober to feel this shitty.” She laughs, and then he does too. “Jackie boy knows your secret.” He tips his head to me. Ev blushes but focuses on Dad instead of me. “I brought a new book for you.” “Another bodice ripper?” He lifts one brow. “It’s one chili pepper at best.”
