Without sadness.
Charlie keeps staring at me like she’s trying to see inside for something, so I keep myself as open to her as I possibly can, needing her to find what she’s searching for.
She takes her time in her search, her eyes roaming over my face, gauging the level of authenticity of my words. Before either of us can say anything else, the bell over the door rings out, and then a little screech greets us.
“Kea, Kea.”
Ryder’s little legs race toward me, his excitement infectious. There’s something about this ridiculously adorable kid that melts my heart and chases away the loneliness.
He stops next to my seat and stares at me with a mouth full of teeth.
I chuckle and hold my fist out like he’s waiting for. “Dude.”
Ryder smacks his knuckles to mine, then puffs his cheeks and pushes his fingers out, mimicking a bomb exploding. “Dude.”
His eyes flash over to Charlie, and I watch them fill with wonder. Chewing the inside of my cheek, I hide my smile at his obvious instant infatuation with her.
Don’t blame you, kid. Don’t blame you at all.
When I glance over, I catch her watching us, her face softened and her eyes glowing with a warmth I’ve missed more than I can say.
Kayla stops at the booth, her breath puffing past her lips. “Ryder,” she scolds softly.
He just grins up at her, looking so much like his dad. Kayla doesn’t miss it either, judging from the way her face spasms before she smiles back at him and brushes her fingers over his face.
Kayla turns to us. Her eyes, normally so vivacious and full of life, are dull and heartbroken. Charlie inhales sharply through her nose, no doubt witnessing the same thing I am. She’s seeing something in Kayla that she saw, hell, probably still sees, when she peers at herself in the mirror.
Turning my attention from Kayla and Ryder, I give it to the only person who matters at this moment.
Shit. Inviting Kayla to bring Ryder here was a mistake. I wanted to be honest with Charlie, but instead I’ve forced her to confront someone living the same pain she’s carried for nearly a year.
I swallow hard, wanting nothing more than to reach across the table to touch her, to convey my apologies, but I know it’s the last thing she needs right now.
“Hi,” Kayla says, holding her hand out to Charlie.
My body jerks straight when Charlie ignores Kayla’s outstretched hand and stands from her seat.
Fuck. What the hell did I do to her?
Charlie pulls a move that shouldn’t really surprise me, though. Instead of shaking Kayla’s hand, she wraps her hands lightly around her biceps, staring into her eyes. Then, when Kayla’s eyes water, she pulls her into a gentle, tight hug.
I turn away from them when Kayla lets out a quiet sob and wraps her arms around Charlie, burying her face in her neck. Ryder is watching her with trembling lips, so I grab him under his arms and pull him into the booth with me to distract him.
Charlie’s heart never fails to amaze me. It’s the very thing that made me fall so helplessly in love with her in the first place.
Even with her heart in pieces, she still manages to offer love and compassion to anyone who needs it.
I give them the space they need to comfort each other while I continue to deflect Ryder’s attention with some stupid game on my phone.
The booth shakes, and I glance up to Charlie sitting back down. Her eyes are red and glassy, her face a bit flushed, and I have to clench my hands to keep from reaching over to her.
“Are you sure about keeping him for a bit, Keaton?” Kayla asks, her voice thick from crying.
“Positive,” I reply softly. “Do what you need and take as long as it takes, okay?”
Kayla blows out a breath, her red-rimmed eyes filling with gratitude as she sets Ryder’s backpack toward the back of the table. “I really appreciate it.”
“Let me see your phone,” Charlie demands of her.
