Page 101 of Finding Us
“Yeah.”
“I’m glad you’re here, I need your help with the place cards.”
She still hasn’t looked my way, keeping her attention solely on my son. It hurts. “What are place cards?” he asks.
“Little cards with names on them. You’ll get to choose where you want to sit, and who you want to sit near.”
“I want to sit between you and Dad.” Blake’s eyes widen when he spies the giant jar of jellybeans in the middle of the table. “Are they mine?”
“It’s a jellybean guessing competition. You have to guess how many are in there, and the person who gets the closest wins.” Jacinta holds up a lined A4 piece of paper. “When your friends arrive, you can write your name and the amount you think is in there, on here.”
“I don’t know how many,” Blake says frowning. “I can only count to twenty.”
Jacinta laughs. “Maybe your dad can help you with your guess.” I may have got a mention, but there’s still no personal acknowledgment from her.Look at me, Red,I silently plead.
Connor comes towards me, holding out his hand. “Hey.”
“Hey,” I reply, wrapping my fingers around his. “I didn’t expect to see you guys here already.”
“We’ve been here for about an hour, setting everything up.”
My gaze moves to the long table in the centre of the room and see the entire length is decorated with colourful bouquets of helium balloons. I step closer, observing the dinosaur-themed plates, cups, and serviettes. There’s a small gift bag sitting in front of each setting and a box that looks like it contains a cupcake. They’re tied with a green ribbon and have a tiny card that says,Thank youon it. Her attention to detail is incredible, and I never would’ve thought to do any of this.
“The table looks great,” I say as she and Blake sort through the place cards.
Her pretty eyes dart to me, but the happiness I saw when she greeted Blake is no longer present. “Thanks,” she replies with a sparse smile before looking away.Shit, things between us are worse than I feared, and that thought makes my stomach churn.
Connor obviously notices too, because his hand clasps my shoulder, giving it a slight squeeze. “Give her time … it’s been a tough couple of days.”
It hasn’t exactly been a walk in the park for me either. I can’t concentrate at work, and I’ve barely slept or eaten.
I was in no way prepared for what it would be like with thirty excited, sugar-fuelled, five-and six-year-old’s crammed into such a small space. If I’d known, I would’ve packed some earplugs. We’re only an hour in and my ears are already ringing.
It’s a small price to pay to see my son in his element. He hasn’t stopped smiling and laughing. As for Red, I’ve tried everything throughout the day to strike up a conversation with her, but she’s shut me down with one-word answers.
“Are you having a good time?”
“Yes.”
“The kids look like they’re enjoying themselves.”
“Uh huh.”
Basically, she’s been avoiding me like the plague, but I like a challenge, so I’m not giving up.
“You look beautiful today.”
That one only got me a small nod, but it felt like a minor win when her cheeks pinkened.
Helping her clear the table after the kids finish eating, I ask, “Are you going to give me a rematch at air hockey, since you cheated last time we were here?”
Her eyes narrow, and a smile tugs at my lips. “I did not cheat. I beat you fair and square.”
If small talk and compliments won’t work, I’ll take the old route. Any attention she gives me is better than none. “I beg to differ. You purposely wore that low-cut top to distract me.”
She gasps. “I did not.”
“Prove it. I demand a rematch.”
