She nodded. “I’m the unofficial welcoming committee. Well, Calliope was supposed to be, but she’s off somewhere, doing a hostile takeover of a billion-dollar company, making CEOs cry. Whatever it is she does.”
When she rolled her eyes good-naturedly, it was a relief to learn that she didn’t know what Calliope did for a living either. I knew she was extraordinarily wealthy because the handful of times I’d interacted with her, she’d been clad in designerclothing, diamonds everywhere. And I knew it was something badass because… well, you just had to spend a few seconds in her presence to deduce that.
I searched my brain for excuses, knowing that getting any closer to these women was a mistake. I was already going to have trouble leaving Clara, forming friendships would only complicate things.
At her birthday party I’d gotten close to exposing too much about my life. The credit card bill was still at the forefront of my mind. I couldn’t risk blurting something further and establishing myself as some drama queen. Or some victim.
Most of all, I didn’t want anything getting back toBeau.
All this ran through my brain, yet I still couldn’t think of a single excuse, not with Fiona’s expectant gaze firmly on me.
“I’m not really dressed for drinks.” I gestured down to my jeans and cheap sweater.
It was a weak excuse, given that Fiona was standing in front of me in ripped jeans and a cable knit sweater. Granted, the clothing looked a lot more high-quality than mine; she was effortlessly glamorous in that way Australians managed to be. Perfectly styled blonde hair, tanned, flawless skin, sparkling eyes.
“You look great,” she told me.
I fumbled for more excuse, the prospect of socializing after being isolated for so long was actually terrifying.
“Fiona!” a small voice shouted from the end of the hall.
Fiona and I both looked at Clara, running toward us. She grasped on to my lower legs with a casual form of affection that made my heart clench.
I put my arm around her, reveling in the moment, knowing that I wouldn’t always be able to pretend this little girl was mine to hold.
“Where’s June?” Clara peered around Fiona, more than a little excited about the prospect of the wild toddler being there for a surprise visit.
“She’s likely destroying something with her father.” Fiona winked. “I’ll bring her next time, when your father has ample warning to take protective measures.” Her eyes danced with a smile she directed behind me.
“I’ll ensure the entire house is bubble wrapped,” Beau responded dryly.
I didn’t look back, but the low rumble of his voice danced across my skin, and my teeth gritted together at his easy warmth with Fiona, a woman he barely knew.
He was capable of being witty, having a sense of humor, being pleasant. Just not with me.
Fiona crouched down to Clara’s level. “I’m wondering if I can borrow Hannah for the night. In return, I’ll let you babysit June.”
I bit back my smile, knowing the bargain would be more than enticing to Clara.
But there was a pause as she chewed on her lower lip, considering it.
She looked to me, then to Fiona. “Will she be back by my bedtime?”
I opened my mouth to assure her I would, but Fiona spoke before I could. “Not if I have anything to do with it.”
Again, my stomach did the weird thing where I was both nervous and excited. My life had been so small those past months. Even while dealing with the bill from Waylon, the complicated experience with Beau, the uncertainty of Clara’s healing journey, I’d had a meager, predictable number of people I interacted with. No social life. I didn’t have to share any of my personal information with anyone. I just had to take care ofClara and ignore Beau the best I could. It kept me safe. But it kept me lonely too.
“Will you come in, if I’m asleep, to check on my dreams?” Clara asked me, still holding on to my leg.
I pulled her up into my arms. “I promise. I’ll even give you some of mine to try out.”
It was something Clara and I talked about often, how I’d come in to check on her dreams and make sure no bad ones were lurking. She’d had a few nightmares over the months, and it seemed to help.
“Okay.” She nodded seriously. “I’ll allow it.”
I gave her a hug, squeezing her and sniffing her hair before setting her down on the floor.
Though I was appropriately terrified at the prospect of socializing with a bunch of women I barely knew, I was deep in it now. There was no escape.
