“Yeah. You going to eat some pancakes? They’re really good.”
Mallory stifled a laugh as she reached for the last plate and stacked it high with pancakes before passing it to Christian. Every time she was around this kid, she liked her even more. It was a shame she didn’t get along with her mother, because she really was a great kid.
“Thanks,” he said as he sat down and began to dig in. “So, how was your night, Lily? You guys have fun?”
She rolled her eyes, obviously annoyed to be asked the same question all over again. Mallory failed at holding in her laugh and attempted to cover it with another cough.
“She had a great time,” she answered for her. “They played games, talked, and watched TV.”
Christian looked at her with an eyebrow quirked up. “Sounds like fun.”
“It was.” Lily said with a shrug. “Did Mallory talk to you about letting me stay the rest of the summer?”
Mallory didn’t. She had hoped Lily would forget she asked her since she was trying very hard to stick to her rule of notinterfering. Helping out so he could go to work was one thing, but talking to him about parenting things was another.
She could feel him looking at her as he answered his daughter. “As a matter of fact, she didn’t. Why don’t we talk about it now.”
“I don’t want to go back. There’s no reason I can’t stay here all summer. It’s not like I have school, and Mom doesn’t want me around anyway. Even Dan thinks it’s a good idea for me to stay.”
That was news to Mallory. And not the most welcomed news to Christian, judging by his scowl. “Oh, does he?”
“Yeah,” Lily answered eagerly. “He listens when I talk. I was telling him how much I’d rather be here, and he said staying for the summer sounded like a good idea.”
Mallory quickly jumped into the conversation, sensing Christian’s displeasure with what he was hearing. “When we were out with Dan the other day, she brought it up. I forgot to say something to you, I’m sorry. And Dan said he’d say something too, probably knowing I’d forget.”
“I’m gonna go get dressed,” Lily said, taking that as her cue to leave.
Mallory stood to clear plates, using it as a way to buy herself some time before thinking of an explanation. Her skin grew warm as she started to panic, knowing Christian must be upset. She didn’t blame him if he was. Lily was none of her business and certainly wasn’t Dan’s business just because he kept an eye on her for a few hours one night.
“Stop panicking. I’m not upset,” Christian said, wrapping his arms around her and nuzzling her hair from behind. “Talk to me.”
“She doesn’t want to go back,” she answered without turning away from the sink.
Christian gently turned her to face him. With nothing but concern and sincerity etched across his features, he reiteratedhis request. “Tell me everything. Please. I know you feel like it’s not your business, but I promise you it is.”
“She wants to stay the summer. She doesn’t feel like her mom wants her around, and obviously whatever is going on with her is back there. I don’t think it’s a bad idea. She’s happy here, and I love having her around. She can stay with me when you go to work.”
Christian roamed her body with his hands, his firm touch continuing to calm her. “I just wish she would talk about it. It can’t be good for her to keep everything inside. I know I’m not much better, but I’m old and already disillusioned with life in general. It’s not too late for her.”
Mallory laughed quietly at his words. He had summed up his personality in one sentence. “If it makes you feel better, I think she may have talked to Dan about whatever it is that’s going on with her.”
“Oh yeah? Good. Once he tells me what it is, I can work on fixing it.”
She wasn’t sure it would be that easy. If she knew Dan at all, she knew he’d probably keep whatever Lily told him in confidence. Even if he wasn’t at work, one of the things he prided himself on since she’d met him was being a safe place for whoever needed it. Mallory knew he would never tell anyone all the things she had told him. He also never judged. That’s what made him so easy to talk to; he was trustworthy.
“Yeah, we’ll see,” she said noncommittally.
“Why do I get the feeling there’s something you aren’t telling me?” he asked.
Mallory considered her options. She could mention how unlikely it was that Dan would divulge everything and face the aftermath, or she could change the subject.
“I’m more than happy to keep helping out however long you have her. She’s a good kid and we have fun. Keeping an eye on her while you’re working isn’t a problem at all.”
Christian was quiet for a moment before he spoke. His expression was serious, and she could tell he was choosing his words carefully. “I don’t want to put you out,” he said in a quiet voice. “You didn’t sign up for this.”
She appreciated that he didn’t want to take advantage of her kindness, but she committed to all of it. The way she felt about him? She was on board with anything that had to do with him.
“Don’t say that,” she warned softly. “I signed up for you and everything that comes with you. I’m not sure what she is afraid of back home, but if she can stay then I’m here. And I mean that.”
