I stare at him, waiting for him to get the point he’s apparently missing, but he just smiles instead.
“Whatever. You should go.” He closes his iPad, and I want to tell him to stop looking at me with what seems a whole lot like pity in his big, green eyes. “You might have fun.”
Maybe . . .
Kyrie’s already been fed and bathed, and really, all I’d have to do is throw on another shirt. Fuck it. Why not? A girl’s got to eat, right? “Can you watch her for me? Just for a minute while I change.”
“I can do better. How about I watch Kyrie for you while you go out and have a drink with the girls?”
“Really?” I ask, a little shocked and a little nervous.
I’ve never left Kyrie alone with one of the guys. Alone in a room—yes. Alone for a night—not so much.
I trust them completely. It’s not that. But I’ve never left her, period. I just haven’t wanted to. I guess maybe my abandonment issues are showing.
“We’ll be golden, won’t we, princess?” he asks Kyrie before smiling at me. “Go. Have fun.”
I mean... I would only be a quick car ride away, and I’d probably be back in two hours. I can do this. Right?
Finn’s a doctor, and he’s great with her. She’d be in perfectly capable hands.
I watch for another beat as he turns to my sister and works on her high-fiving skills, determined she’s going to get it. I can do this. He can do this. Okay, dinner with the girls. I’m going. “Thanks, Finn.”
He says something else, but I’m already halfway out of the room, rushing to get dressed before I change my mind. I pull out my phone and shoot off a text.
Ashton
Give me five minutes to change and I’ll be right out. Finn is keeping Kyrie for me.
I yank open my closet and stare at clothes I haven’t bothered to wear since my former roommate boxed them up and sent them to me. Throwing on a sundress and sweater, I decide to ditch the leggings. I already washed my hair this morning and let it air-dry, so it’s not too bad, and a little mascara and lip gloss later, that’s as good as I’m getting.
I can do this.
I am doing this.
It’s just dinner.
Adinner that turns my stomach the minute I smell the appetizers.
I am so over my new aversion to food. I swear every time I smell anything remotely garlicky or spicy—something I’d normally think would be delicious—now, somehow turns my stomach lately.
“So, what’s the latest CPS drama?” Kaleigh asks as she pops a stuffed mushroom into her mouth, and I’m pretty sure Dillan kicks her under the table for it. “Ouch. What the hell? We all want to know.” Yup. She definitely got kicked. “I’m not being nosey. How else will we be able to help if we don’t know what’s going on?”
Valid point.
“I appreciate it, but I don’t need any help. At least not yet,” I offer, softening my response. “Things are kind of just there at the moment. I’m waiting to hear whether or not my mom’s taking the plea deal before I can make my next moves. Sabrina’s friend is working on the case for me, and she’s assured things moving slowly is what’s to be expected.”
“Have you talked to your mom yet?” Lexie adds, knowing the last time they peppered me with questions, the answer was no.
“Not yet.” I don’t share that I’m not sure I want to, afraid they’ll judge the hell out of me for that little fact. “But I did finally speak to my dad last week. We were supposed to do lunch, but he had to reschedule.”Again.
Kaleigh rips a piece of bread and dips it violently in the oil. “Family sucks.”
“Not all family sucks,” Dillan sighs as she tugs the oil away before Kaleigh can somehow turn it into a weapon.
The woman looks a little scary right now.
“No, you’re right. Not all family. But most of us aren’t as lucky as you two.” She points her bread between Lexie and Dillan. “Your family is the exception, not the rule.”
