It Starts with Us by Colleen Hoover

But his question about leaving with Theo kind of stumps me. My eyes
widen slightly. I’ve only lived here four days. Josh hasn’t asked me
permission for anything before, and Atlas and I haven’t really laid ground
rules. “Yeah, sure. But let your brother know where you are.”
I really don’t think Atlas will mind. Now that we live together, we’re
going to have to tackle things like this when it comes to Josh and Emerson.
Who parents who, when, how. It’s kind of exciting. I like figuring out life
with Atlas.
My mother still hasn’t returned with Emerson yet, so once Josh and Theo
have left, the house is quiet and empty for the first time since we moved in.
I’ve never been here alone before. I spend my alone time walking through
rooms, looking in cabinets, familiarizing myself with my new house.
My new house. That’s fun to say.
I go out back and sit in a chair on the deck, staring over the backyard. It’s
the perfect backyard for a garden. Almost unheard-of for a place this far into
the city. It’s like Atlas searched for a house specifically for the perfect garden
space just in case I ever came back into his life. I know that’s not at all why
he chose this house, but it’s fun imagining he did it for that reason.
My phone rings, startling me. It’s Atlas returning an earlier call with a
video chat.
“Hi.”
“What are you doing?” he asks.
“Picking out a spot for my garden. Josh wanted to stay over with Theo, so
I let him go. I hope that’s okay.”
“Of course it is. Did they help you at all?”
“Yeah, we got most of it done.”
Atlas looks relieved by that. He runs a hand down the side of his face like
he’s releasing stress. It looks like it’s been a busy day, but Atlas tucks it away
beneath a smile. “Where’s Emerson?”
“My mom is on her way back with her.”
He sighs like he’s sad he couldn’t get a glimpse of her. “I’m starting to
miss her,” he says. The words come out soft and fast, like he’s a little bit
scared to admit he’s starting to love my daughter. But I caught his words, and
I’m keeping them next to all the other sweet things he’s ever said to me. “I’ll
be home in about three hours. Will you be awake?”
“If I’m not, you know what to do.”