“Uh, thanks, I’ll stand.”
Taking in her white pants and vividly blue top, I nodded. “Probably a good idea. So what’s on your mind?”
“Um, I don’t know if Indy told you but—”
“You guys coming over for dinner one night? Sounds like a blast. What night works for you guys?”
“Oh, um, any day before the party is good. Actually I take that back, we have a cake tasting next Wednesday and then my final—uh, probably best sometime this week if you can swing it, but that wasn’t what I was going to say.”
A weird feeling crawled through my chest. “What’s going on?”
“Oh, it’s nothing serious. Don’t worry. But Indy mentioned that she didn’t have a cell phone. And I thought maybe that was something you guys could help her with? Maybe get her a company phone, so she doesn’t have to worry about the bill since I’m sure she’s trying to save up for her own place. I just…don’t like the idea of her not having her own phone, you know? It’s not really safe.”
“Christ.” I flinched and then shook my head. “Sorry, Fliss. I meant geez. Geez.”
“Sheesh,” Fliss slurred at me with a dash of spittle I totally deserved.
“Exactly.” I nodded at her then turned to her mom. “I never thought about it. I’m almost always with her, and she never said anything. But… Damn, I can’t believe I never noticed. She’s never pulled out a cell phone in front of me. I just… I can’t…”
“Mwah!” Fliss pressed a smacking, wet kiss on my cheek, followed by another. “Mwah!”
I returned the favor. “Love you, sweetheart.”
“You’re really good with her.” Hope smiled.
“I told you I’d watch her anytime you need. Me and Fliss are buddies.” I brushed a finger over my niece’s petal soft cheek. I might not be ready for kids myself—maybe ever—but that didn’t mean I didn’t love this little monster fiercely.
Hope shook her head. “I wasn’t talking about Felicity.”
I jerked my head up to frown at Hope. “What?”
“I think she might be just what you need and vis versa if you two would get out of your own ways.”
“Indy? You think me and Indy are…” I couldn’t even say it.
“No, not yet, anyways. But maybe soon. She’s sweet—quiet—but who isn’t around this crew? It’s hard to get a word in when everyone’s going at it. But I think she fits you and that’s what’s important.”
“I, we aren’t… She’s just a kid.”
“Do you really think that?” Her head went back like I’d made a strange statement. “From what I’ve seen she’s more of an adult than I was when I got pregnant. She’s taken care of her grandmother, got through her death, moved across the country with her father, done a year of college, and then picked up the pieces when her dad deserted her. She’s strong. And an adult.”
“She’s nineteen. She should still be an irresponsible asshole. She should be out there living it up, going to frat parties, and making bad choices. Sleeping in and skipping class because she was out having too much fun with her friends last night. Not scraping together whatever she can to have a roof over her head. She deserves so much more than the shit hand she was dealt.”
With every word, my voice got harsher and more biting as I thought about the crappy situation Indy had been in. By the time I finished, Fliss had picked up on my emotions, her bottom lip quivering as she made a tearful frown. She blinked up at me with two huge tears welling in her eyes.
“Oh, sweetheart. I’m not mad. It’s okay.”
But she didn’t believe me. Fliss opened her mouth and let out a wail I’d heard so many times through our condo walls.
Hope stepped closer to me and took the fussing baby out of my hands. “She had the opportunity to do all that last year, but she didn’t. She went to school, made the dean’s list, and studied her ass off. You should give her credit for the strong, resilient woman she is. She’s shown that she’s more than capable of making decisions for herself. Maybe you should think about that.”
“Wait, is this an intervention? I’m the good guy here.”
“Yeah.” Hope huffed an exasperated breath. “Sounds to me like that’s the problem. We gotta go before the meltdown truly begins. Don’t forget the phone!”
“Uh, okay. Bye! Buh-bye, Fliss! Uncle Dee loves you!” I shouted at their back.
Fliss’s wails echoed around us as Hope fluttered a hand and let the shop door bang shut behind her.
