As I take a breath, I recognize the adrenaline pumping through me. It wasn’t high risk, but I feel like I basically just cracked into a safe, one that’ll tell me even more about Serena than I already know.
Her laptop dings again, and this time, a text icon appears in the top-right corner. A message from Dad. I read it before I even mean to.
Dad: Yeah. Let me know what you want to do, and I’ll have it arranged. I got to go. I love you
My finger moves across the touchpad, clicking on the notification before I can second-guess it.
I scroll up to the top of the conversation, and my eyes devour it eagerly. I can’t even help myself. Any ounce of willpower has left the chat.
Dad: You’re still planning on attending the gala correct?
My heart rate picks up because I know exactly what he’s talking about. The upcoming charity gale. We usually have one or two a year.
I suck in a sharp breath. I’ll get to see her all dressed up again, and I’ll be forced to keep my compliments and hands to myself this time. It’s going to be pure fucking torture.
Serena: Of course. As long as you have a ticket for me lol
Dad: It’s yours. Do you want me to pick you up or do you want to meet me there?
Serena: I’m not sure yet. Can I let you know?
Dad: Yeah. Let me know what you want to do, and I’ll have it arranged. I got to go. I love you
Their conversation is short, but I can still feel the love between the two of them. But that was evident at practice when she dropped in. He’s a stern man whose voice seems to lack inflection, but it was a different case when it came to his little girl.
I’ve never heard him so … jolly. I, of all people, understand what it’s like to be in her presence, to feel the warmth that radiates off of her.
My restraint is even more lacking when I scroll up further in their texts, and my heart sinks when I come across a very vulnerable discussion about Serena’s mom. A few of the messages burn their way into my brain before I can convince myself to stop reading.
Her mom’s death anniversary is coming up, and it looks like she always gets together with her dad the day of to visit the cemetery.
Guilt burns in the back of my throat, and I quickly return her laptop screen to normal before stowing it back on her nightstand. I want to know all those things, but I want to hear them from her lips, especially when it comes to sensitive information.
I do my best to push the words I read from my mind as I stand to my feet and tidy her bed like it was before, but a weight continues to press down on my chest. I want to ask her about her mom, as well as the thousand new questions haunting my mind.
The doorbell rings, and I nearly jump out of my skin. I hastily check the camera on her security app, finding the delivery driver unloading grocery bags at her door. Perfect timing because I need to head out soon. But I can manage a few more minutes to get her groceries unloaded and put away.
Freddie and I head downstairs, and as soon as the driver pulls away, I slip my mask on, shut the cameras off, and carry everything inside. It might be over doing it to wear my mask with the cameras off, but I’m not going to take the chance of something glitching and her finding out the truth sooner than I’m ready for.
Freddie helps me by investigating every bag I set on the kitchen floor, and it only takes him a minute to find the mini Lamb Chop toy tucked away in one of the bags.
While he squeaks the thing to death, I get everything stored away. It’s not a ton of groceries, but they’re meals, snacks, and treats that I’ve seen her gravitate to a thousand times. I also made sure to stock her Red Bull shelf with her favorite flavors.
Last but not least, I cut the ends off of the stems of fresh flowers, assembling them into a vase I found in her cabinet. Centering it on her kitchen island, I step back and brush my hands together, feeling proud of the work I’ve put in today.
I wish I could be here to see her reaction, but I have adate with Kol and Cas at my place soon and really need to get going.
“Do you need to go potty?” I ask Freddie as I slip my shoes back on.
He gives me an answer that’s as clear as day when he runs up his ramp to the couch and curls into a blanket in his spot on the sofa.
“Got it.” I laugh.
“How many more of these do we have to make? Can you just tell her who you are so I don’t have to help make a single card ever again?” Cas groans, dropping his head into his hand on the kitchen table.
Kol and Cas are helping me make another small batch of cards for Serena—something that is much more efficient when there’s three of us.
“Remember this when you want help wooing some girl. You’ll have something to use on me to get me to help.” I smile, glueing a red paper heart to the top of a card.
