Chapter 36

Even though this was Wal-Mart, Remy still stopped in the wine aisle. He wanted something special for Christmas Eve, after Braden would be in bed and he would have Lane all to himself. Something that said, Marry me. A rich chardonnay, perhaps. Lane liked red wines.

As Remy struggled to choose from the store’s limited selection, Braden bumped his leg with the cart. “Hey, Dad.”

“Hold on,” Remy said, distracted. The last time they had ordered drinks while eating out, he seemed to recall Lane had had a Pinot Noir. Or, hey, maybe champagne?

“Dad,” Braden repeated, more insistent this time. “Hey, Dad!”

Remy whirled around. “What is it? We’re almost done.”

Braden said, “I need to buy him a present.”

“Who?” Remy had a bottle of wine in each hand, and wanted just two seconds to read the labels and choose one. Two seconds. Was that too much to ask?

“Lane.”

Remy glanced at his son sharply. “What now?”

“Da-ad!” Braden whined. “You’re not listening to me!”