65

I rubbed my temples as a Hannah-headache worked its way through my brain. “How in the hell would you know that?”

“Have you listened to anything I’ve said today?”

She waited for a response. I didn’t give her one.

So, she continued, “I know you. I know how you operate. I know the second something turns slightly serious with a girl, you go all AWOL, and you bail because you don’t want to bring them into Eve’s life.” She turned her head, peeking through the glass. “There’s one way to your heart”—she nodded toward the living room—“and it’s through that little girl right there.” She gazed back at me. “If you had any feelings for Sydney, which I kind of assumed you did, then having her around all the time would only emphasize them. And, eventually, you two would be together … like you are.” She raised her arms in the air, like she was cheering. “Who’s the genius here? Me.”

“I don’t even know what the fuck to say right now.”

Her arms dropped. “You can tell your little coz how much you love he