I was still watching her drive off when I heard Millie greet someone.
“Hello.”
I didn’t see anyone else close by. “Who are you waving at, princess?”
“Mr. Red,” she explained, still waving.
My gaze darted around. “Who’s Mr. Red?”
“I dunno. He’s always here when it’s breaktime. He stands by the fence and watches us play.”
The hairs on my nape stood on end. “Why do you call him Mr. Red? Has he talked to you?”
“Nope.” Millie shook her head. “It’s the color of his shirt. I think it’s his favorite.”
I looked over my shoulder, but all I saw was a woman with a stroller, a young man with a leather jacket and headphones on his head, and an older guy walking his dog. No red shirt.
“Can we go now?”
My gaze was back on Millie. Hands clapping, she bounced from one foot to the other.
“Excited?” I chuckled.
She nodded furiously.
“All right, all right, let’s go.”
I helped her into the car then scanned the area one last time before climbing in behind the wheel. Before starting the engine, I pulled up Millie’s favorite band on my phone so when the Bluetooth connected, her song would blast through the speakers.
When the beat reached her ears, the happiest smile touched her lips. I liked seeing it. Liked it even more that it was there because of something I’d done.
Thirty minutes and I didn’t even know how many songs later, we finally stepped out of the elevator on Kate’s floor. I cared about this little girl a lot, but there was only so much my ears could take.
Between the upbeat—and sometimes high-pitched—singing and Millie’s mile-a-minute talking, my brain was ready to explode.
Even more so when I spotted Kate’s elderly neighbor shuffle down the hallway. With an inward curse, I sent a quick prayer that she wouldn’t notice us.
“Hello, Mrs. Ross,” Millie chirped.
Great.
Upon hearing her name, Mrs. Ross spun around and headed toward us.
“Ah, shit,” I muttered under my breath.
“You said a bad word again.” Millie giggled. “Tommy says he gets a dollar every time his mommy or daddy says a bad word. Can I get one too?”
I couldn’t answer; the old lady had reached us. Before Millie had mentioned it, I’d forgotten her name, but I hadn’t forgotten her stare. The exact one she gave me now.
“Mrs. Ross. Mrs. Ross.” Millie bounced on the spot. “We’re having a sleepover at Tristan’s house.”
“Why hello there, Miss Millie.” Mrs. Ross patted Millie’s head in the same loving way I’d seen Kate’s mother do. “That sounds fun. You must be very excited.”
Millie nodded eagerly then tugged my hand. “Can I go get my stuff?”
“Sure, Princess.”
I fished out Kate’s key, and after acknowledging Mrs. Ross with a quick jerk of my chin, I sidestepped her to continue down the corridor. Should’ve known the little old lady would walk with us. She was quiet until I unlocked Kate’s door, and Millie darted inside.
