Page 15 of Promise Me This
With a squeal, Elody throws her arms in the air. “Yay!”
It’s only then that I second-guess myself. Maybe I shouldn’t have agreed so easily. Maybe spending more time with Elody isn’t in her best interest. It’s not like I belong in their world.
But the truth is, I want to see her again.
And I want?—
I shut that thought down before it can finish forming.
Laiken shifts, looking slightly uncomfortable. “Let me know what time works.”
“I’ll get your number from Oliver and text you.”
Before the moment can stretch any further, my brother’s voice cuts through it. “Okay, we’re heading out!”
Elody hugs me one final time, her fingers curling into my sleeve, as if needing the reassurance. “We’ll play tomorrow?”
“We definitely will,” I murmur. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
She beams before returning to Laiken, slipping her hand into his without hesitation. He lifts her easily into his arms and presses a kiss to the top of her hat. The sight melts everything inside me.
Here’s a dad who cares and shows up day after day. It makes me wish I’d found someone like that. Someone who wouldn’t have freaked out when I told him I was pregnant.
I turn away before the thought has time to sink in any deeper.
Near the elevator, Evelyn steps beside me, tucking a wrap around her shoulders with effortless grace.
“Did you have a nice time?” she asks.
There’s nothing pointed in her tone, but the quiet authority that surrounds her makes me straighten anyway. “I did. Thank you so much for the invitation.”
She studies me. “You’re Oliver’s sister, which makes you family. You’re always welcome.”
The words fill me with unexpected warmth. “That means more than you know.”
“I’m glad.” Her gaze drifts to Laiken and Elody. “You’re very good with her.”
“It’s not difficult; she’s a sweet little girl.”
“I’ve known her since she was a baby, and I’ve never seen her take to someone so quickly,” Evelyn says. “You must have made quite an impression.”
A smile hovers on my lips as I shrug. “I watched her during poker night a few weeks ago.”
“I imagine she must have loved that.” She pauses. “It’s been a year since Laiken’s wife left, and it’s been hard on both of them.”
The admission catches me off guard, and my attention lingers on the father and daughter from across the room. Even though questions swirl through my head, I keep them locked up tight.
With a smile, Evelyn moves the conversation along. “You mentioned taking a little breather from college to figure out what’s next. Sometimes the time in between is exactly where we’re meant to land.”
I nod, allowing the comment to settle inside me. It’s a nice thought. “Yeah, maybe it is.”
“If you need anything at all,” she adds, “please don’t hesitate to ask.”
“I’ll be sure to do that.”
“Excellent.”
After a quick hug, she drifts back into the room, smiling as she greets the other guests.
