Eventually she pulls back, wiping at her eyes with the heel of her hand. “We should probably finish cleaning up before Kiki gets here.”
“Yeah.” I reluctantly let her slide off my lap, immediately missing her warmth. “Wouldn’t want her to think we spent the whole evening playing with Barbies.”
That gets a small laugh out of her and warmth blooms in my chest. We kneel on the floor and start gathering up the remaining dolls and accessories, working in comfortable silence.
Every so often, I catch Kiera glancing at me, and when our eyes meet, she quickly looks away. But there’s a small smile playing at her lips, something shy and pleased that makes my heart stutter.
We’ve just finished packing the last of the Barbies into the tub when the doorbell rings.
Kiera stands. “That’s Kiki.”
I head to the front door and open it to find Kiki standing on the porch, looking exhausted but happy. Her hair is pulled back in a messy bun.
“Hey,” she says, smiling. “I’m so sorry it’s late.” She steps inside, and her eyes immediately land on Kiera, who’s hovering near the living room entrance.
Kiki’s smile falters. “Kiera? Are you okay?”
I watch Kiera’s face, see the way her jaw tightens as she tries to compose herself. But her eyes are still red-rimmed from crying, and there’s no hiding the fact that she’s been emotional.
“Yeah. Everything’s fine,” Kiera says, but her voice wavers slightly.
Kiki looks between us, and I can practically see the calculations happening behind her eyes. The way she’s taking in Kiera’s appearance and the general atmosphere of the house.
Something knowing crosses her expression—not suspicious or worried, but understanding. Like she can sense that something significant happened here tonight.
“Come on,” I say to Kiki, gesturing toward the hallway. “Let me show you where Skyler is. She fell asleep during Frozen.”
Kiki follows me down the hall to the spare bedroom. I ease the door open, and we both peek inside at Skyler, who’s still fastasleep, curled up under the covers with one hand tucked under her cheek.
“She’s adorable,” I whisper.
“She is.” Kiki’s voice is soft, full of love. “Thank you so much for letting her stay here. I know having a little girl invade your space probably wasn’t how you planned to spend your evening.”
“I was happy to help.” I keep my voice low so we don’t wake Skyler. “Besides, she’s great. We had fun.”
“I can carry her—” Kiki starts, but I shake my head.
“You’re pregnant. Let me.” I move past her into the room and carefully slide my arms under Skyler, lifting her as gently as I can. She turns her face into my shoulder, but doesn’t wake.
Kiki watches with this expression that’s somewhere between grateful and amused. “You’re good with her.”
“Kids are easy,” I say, adjusting my hold on Skyler. “They’re honest about what they want and need. Adults are way more complicated.”
“That’s very true.” Kiki leads the way back through the house, and we find Kiera in the entryway holding the massive tub of Barbies.
“I’ll get this,” Kiera says, hefting the tub.
We walk out to Kiki’s car together. The spring night air is warm and salt-tinged, and overhead the stars are visible despite the light pollution from the nearby harbor. I settle Skyler into her car seat while Kiera loads the Barbie tub into the trunk.
“Thank you both so much,” Kiki says, closing the trunk. “Seriously, you saved me tonight. I finished the ice cream shop, and it turned out good. The client is going to love it.”
“We were happy to help,” I say.
Kiki turns to head to the driver’s side, then pauses and looks back at me. “River, can I talk to you for just a second?”
I glance at Kiera, who’s already moving back toward the house, giving us space. “Sure.”
Kiki walks a few steps away from the car and turns to face me. In the porch light, I can see how serious her expression has become.
