“Smells good in here,” I drawl as I set my bag down and head into the kitchen.
Skylar glances up and treats me to a rare smile. One that touches her green eyes and lights her face. “Zoey and I decided we wanted to try shepherd’s pie. She’s never had it, and I told her it was good on cold nights like this one.”
“Daddy, we’re supposed to get snow this weekend.”
“Oh fun,” I tease as I kiss her cheek and give her a hug. “I hadn’t heard that yet. We’ll have to play in it in the backyard.”
Zoey is obsessed with snow. It’s snowed a few times since we’ve been here, but she hasn’t ever been in a storm or seen more than a few inches. Despite my playful tone, I think it will be fun to do all the snow things with her. Especially since I don’t have work this weekend.
“How was the rest of your day?” I ask Skylar.
She shrugs. “It was fine. A bit crazy, as I’m positive you know. Michaela seemed fine at first and then was distant with me, if not a little weird. But other than that, quiet.” She tosses the sliced cucumber into the salad bowl.
“Good. I’m glad. But why would Michaela care? I think I’ve spoken to her not even a handful of times, and a few of those were about you.”
She peers up at me. “She thought you liked her.”
I squint. “Huh? Where on earth did she get that from?”
“I told you the powers you have over the nursing staff.”
I smirk. “Not over all the nurses.” Unfortunately. “Can I help?”
“Sure. You can set the table.”
I lean in and whisper in her ear, “You’re being nice to me again.”
She coughs out a laugh and jabs back to elbow me in the flank. “A momentary lapse in sanity.” She turns her head over her shoulder and smirks at me. “It won’t happen again.”
I throw my hands out defensively. “I’m not complaining. I’m actually enjoying it. I just wanted to make sure you were aware of what you were doing.”
“I’m not very good at disliking people, and you’re becoming someone I don’t want to dislike.”
The urge to lean in and kiss her is so overwhelming I have to clench my fists. Thankfully my phone rings, pulling me away. I slip it out of my pocket and instantly blanch.
“What’s wrong?”
I flip the phone around so she can see. “We should get this over with. You want to answer the phone with me?”
She chews on her lip. “No. But we have to. Pick up before we lose him.”
I swipe my finger across the phone. “Hey,” I answer.
“Hey!” Micha’s voice comes barreling through the phone. “I’m sorry we haven’t caught up. It’s been one thing after another here. How’s it going? How’s my favorite goddaughter?”
“I’m good,” Zoey singsongs. “Uncle Micha, Daddy said we could send you another care package.”
“That would be amazing. You’ll put crunchy peanut butter and a picture of you in there, right?”
“Obviously.”
My eyes bulge. “Obviously?” I parrot. “When did you start saying that like you’re fifteen?”
She shrugs. “Can I go play? Grown-up conversations aresoboring.”
“Yes, my sassy kid.” I rub the top of her head. “Go ahead.”
“We’ll call you when dinner is ready,” Skylar finishes.
