“Still has the wordbookin it. No thanks. Mila’s the baker. Later, Noah. Be a menace.”
“Don’t tell him that. That’s all I need.”
Laughing as I head out the door, I feel my spirits lift. Noah getting sick over the weekend zapped a lot of my energy, but now that he’s feeling better, it’s back to business as usual. A night out does sound fun, and I doubt any of the guys will have an issue with it, except for Atlas, maybe.
It’s a shame that someone so handsome is so angry. I’ve watchedhow he interacts with his brothers, although now that I think about it, none of them really resemble each other.
A lot of people think that Noah is my son, but I don’t bother to correct them. No one wants to hear the sob story of our awful dead parents or how I have a snake of a grandmother still hell-bent on making my life hell when she remembers I exist.
Atlas has a hardness about him, but he creates the most beautiful, colorful designs for clients, and I just don’t understand it. There isn’t a spot of color on his body. I’ve looked on more than one occasion. He pushes his sleeves back when he’s working, and I catch glimpses of these vines and branches that snake around his toned arms, and up to his neck. It makes me wonder what he has hidden underneath.
Then I think of how he smiles when Rhett and Kash are going at it but doesn’t get involved. I’ve caught him watching me a few times, but he never says anything. I refuse to let people treat me badly, so I just stay out of his way. I wish I understood what his deal was, but I have more important things to focus on. Noah is better, and I guess we’re having a girls’ night.
Dropping Noah off at school, I head to the library. Today is going to be a good day.
Crossing off supplies from my mental checklist, I grab paper, crayons, and a bin of glue from our supply cabinet. It’s almost time for Tiny Tots, and I have the best story and craft activity today. I know it sounds silly to get excited about a picture book and constructionpaper, but I love seeing what the kids create, even when they’re being chaotic little monsters.
Setting things on the table, I turn in time to see Annie walking into the room. “She’s getting set up for Tiny Tots. It’s such a cute program,” she gushes to someone trailing behind her.
My blood runs cold, and I pray it doesn’t show on my face. Bea is standing next to Annie, looking like a happy, friendly person. I know better. It’s the smile of a snake before it strikes. Full of venom and veiled hate.
“Hey, Annie, thanks. I got it from here. Everything is ready to go.” Running the children’s part of the library was always a dream of mine. Books were the only escape my childhood offered. I pray that not all the kids who come here have that kind of life, but if any of them do, I hope that for the brief time they’re here, it takes their mind off it.
Waiting until Annie walks out, I silently stare at Bea. This won’t be good; it never is when she shows up.
As soon as Annie is out of earshot, I scowl at my grandmother. “What are you doing here, Bea?” I don’t want her here. I don’t even know how she found out I worked at the library.
“What do you mean, my dear? Can’t I visit my granddaughter at her job?” She smiles like the snake she is.
“No, you can’t. I’m not your granddaughter. You’re no grandmother of mine.”
“I wonder if Noah feels the same way.”
My blood boils. “What about Noah? He’s better off without you too.”
“It’s interesting you say that, because I saw him recently. Spitting image of my Samuel at the age if you ask me, well, except for his eyes. Those come fromher.”
“You’re lying.” Crossing my arms, I glare at her. “Get to why you’re here, Bea. I’m working.”
Looking around the room, she takes her time responding. I don’t like her being in my space. It’s been months since I last heard fromher, and she hasn’t seen Noah in even longer than that, at least that I know of. I was kind of hoping she was dead.
“I want to see my grandson.”
“No. Out of the question.”
“It wasn’t a question. I’m telling you how it will be.”
“You must have forgotten that Noah doesn’t know you, and honestly, I wish I didn’t. I take care of him. Me. You need to forget we exist.”
“I will see him, Cora. You can bet on that.”
“There’s no reason for you to see either of us. You can leave.” Looking at the clock, I see it’s getting close to one. “There is nothing any of us has to gain by having a relationship. You let that monster reign free, and I won’t let it touch Noah any more than it already has.”
“You watch how you talk about my son.” She steps toward me with an angry expression.
Shaking my head, I barely hold in a laugh. “I’m not afraid of you, Bea. I’m not some little girl you can bully.”
“Just remember, you had a chance to listen.” She turns away. “I’ll be seeing you, Cora.”
