I doubt it would take a psychic to guess what I was thinking and why I was delaying replying. I look over at Lexi and Blake. They’re busy cutting a face hole out of the cardboard. Blake is helping Lexi to use the scissors, his hand over hers.
“I’m going to make you the best helmet,” Lexi says, grinning at me.
“Thanks, pudding.”
“I thought I had the best helmet?” Blake said.
“You did. Now Daddy’s will be the best.”
Blake laughs and ruffles Lexi’s hair with his free hand. “I’ll try not to be offended.”
I switch my attention back to Spence’s messages. If Lexi knew about Spence, would she be more or less jealous of the time we’re spending together? Hopefully less. Hopefully, she’ll adore him just as much as I do once she gets to know him.
“Lexi, do you want to meet my friend?”
Lexi and Blake both stare at me.
“Next week,” I add.
Lexi presses her lips together. “Who is your friend?”
“His name is Spence. I like him a lot.”
“Will I like him?”
“I think so. Actually, you’ve already met him.”
She narrows her eyes. “When?”
“When you broke your arm. He was your doctor.”
She closes her eyes. “Doctor Price?”
“That’s right.”
“Is he yourboyfriend?”
I hesitate, but now that I’ve told her this much, there’s no point in denying it. “Yes. He’s taking his niece and nephew to the zoo next week and has asked us to go with them.”
“Sounds fun,” Blake says. “I love the lions. Which are your favourite animals, Lexi?”
“The penguins.”
“Wouldn’t it be great to go and see the penguins next week?”
“Yes,” Lexi says in a reserved tone.
“Can we go?” I ask.
“Okay. ‘Cause I want to see the penguins.”
I smile. “Got it.”
“And the lions.”
“We’ll definitely check them out.”
“And the monkeys. But not the spiders.”
