“Are you sure you’re ready for it?” I asked, stepping back to let them in.
I looked over Sean’s shoulder when he moved to shut the door behind him. “Where’s the nanny?”
“You’re looking at them,” Sean announced as he stepped inside, carrying a bag full of snacks and coloring books. “Anne was busy today, so we came over instead.”
He knelt down and looked at Evie. “I’ve got crayons, gummies, and a new picture book about a unicorn who can’t stop giggling.”
“Evie’s gonna love that,” I said as Evie’s face lit up when she saw the book.
She made a beeline straight for the book, but out of nowhere, Chloe scooped her up and twirled her once, making Evie squeal.
“Got you!” Chloe laughed before setting her down. “There. Now you can have the book.”
Sean leaned down beside them, gently brushing Chloe’s hair back from her face. “I’ll go set things up in the kitchen,” he whispered, then kissed Chloe on the cheek.
Chloe caught his hand before he could go. “Wait,” she said, and she tugged him just slightly toward her. With Evie perched between them, Chloe leaned in and pressed a kiss to his lips. It was sweet and slow, and Evie giggled.
I watched them from the couch, my shoulders relaxing. I was used to seeing Chloe and Sean so in love. But today, it hit me in a way I hadn’t expected. A reminder that love could feel familiar and still be exciting.
“Well,” I said, “at least I know Evie’s in good hands.”
Chloe winked. “We’ll be the fun ones. You go be the responsible adult and take care of Lexi.”
I gave them a thumbs-up and walked back to Lexi’s room without another word.
43
LEXI
“You’re sweating,” Jonah said, coming back into my room. I’d woken up at the knock on the front door.
“Who’s out there?” I asked, hearing voices.
My dress was riding up above my knees. I reached to pull my dress off, anything to feel better, without thinking what to replace it with when Jonah asked, “I have people I trust taking care of Evie. Now where are your pajamas?”
His voice jolted me. I felt like I was alone, stumbling through vacant streets of the city in a daze, with Evie just out of sight. The fear that memory brought along with it didn’t leave so easily.
“Dresser. Top drawer,” I murmured.
In a minute, he got a pair of pink heart-patterned pajamas.
“This okay?” he asked, but I was pulling my dress straps off in frustration.
I was having delirious dreams of CPS showing up at my door and accusing me of being a neglectful mom.
“Here, let me help,” he said, and stepping behind me so that my back was to him, he pulled my dress up and over my head.
He slipped the shirt over me quickly, his firm hands tugging it down quickly. His sturdy hands brushed against the sides ofmy naked torso accidentally, but he pulled them away. I was still sweating, and he helped me get my pajamas on, lifting my butt so that he could pull them all the way up.
I lay back in bed, my mind still spinning, my heart still racing from fear.
If anything had happened to me… I thought again. I couldn’t seem to get my mind to move on from that thought.
I looked at Jonah, suddenly noticing that he was pacing the room, arms crossed over his chest. He couldn’t seem to sit still.
“What else can I do for you?” he asked.
“Nothing. I’m—” my lips quivered, “fine.”
