“Excellent choice,” she says brightly. “Red ones are always the fastest.”
She sips her coffee, then turns to me. “So, why the impromptu babysitting?”
Without looking up from where he’s playing with his Hot Wheels, Teddy says, “Daddy had to go to work. Said it was something important.”
“Oh. I think Brad mentioned something about that…” Amelia’s gaze snaps back to me, more thoughtful now. “Does Sebastian tell you about his job?”
I hesitate, just for a beat, before schooling my expression into something easy. I’m not sure if he should be telling me about it, but it’s not like I’m reporting back to anyone.
“Only when I ask,” I say, forcing a smile. “He doesn’t exactly offer up details on his own.”
She hums. “Sounds like your brother.”
We both laugh.
“So,” she tilts her head, “how are you doing?”
Now, that’s a question I should be answering honestly. One that deserves a real response. But instead of telling her that I think I’m starting to develop feelings for Sebastian, that I had the best sex ever with her husband’s,mybrother’s, best friend… or that I’m drowning in the kind of secrecy I’ve never had with her before, I smile and deflect. It guts me a little that I haven’t told her. Amelia wouldn’t care. She’d probably clap. But it feels like a dirty little secret.
“I’m good,” I say, too cheerfully. “Tired. But good. What about you? How’s work? Still ruling over Koala Creek Primary like a queen?”
Amelia perks up a little, smiling. “I love my kids; you know I do. But it’s getting a bit… repetitive. I’m kind of itching for something more. I’ve been eyeing the curriculum coordinator role if it opens up.”
I nod, picturing it immediately. “You’d kill that. Honestly. You’ve got the calm presence, the know-how, and enough stationery to run the whole education system.”
“You’re not wrong.” She pauses, brushing crumbs from her lap. “Also, we’re hiring more learning support officers. Watching you with Teddy now… I don’t know, you’ve got a good way with kids. Have you ever thought about doing something like that?”
Before I can answer, the waiter returns with our order. Teddy immediately grabs his babyccino with both hands, like it’s liquid gold.
“Toastie first,” I warn, handing him a napkin. He huffs, but obeys, picking it up with both hands and taking a dramatic bite. I glance up and find Amelia watching us.
“What?” I ask, narrowing my eyes.
“Nothing.”
“You’re staring.”
“I am not.”
“You are. Don’t even try to deny it. You’ve got that squinty thing going on.”
She smiles, slow and soft, and wraps her hands around her coffee cup again. “You’ve changed, Liv.”
Her words are gentle, landing with a weight I was not expecting. I offer a smile, lean back in my chair, sip my coffee, and watch Teddy carefully separate the crust from his toastie.
“Oh,” Amelia adds casually, like it’s just another part of the conversation, “Bradley’s birthday barbecue is next Saturday. At ours.”
“Yep,” I say, nodding. “How could I forget?”
She pauses for a second, watching Teddy, then lowers her voice. “Sebastian’s invited too… which means Teddy is as well.”
Right. Yes, of course he’s going—obviously, because he’s my brother’s partner at work, so naturally he’s invited, which means Teddy is too. Great. Cool, cool, cool.
Amelia watches me a little too closely, so I school my reaction and focus on Teddy instead, watching him push his toy car along the edge of the table while he eats.
And just like that, the moment passes, but my nerves don’t.
The kettle’s still hissing after being boiled, and I’m about to pour in my peppermint tea for the afternoon, when Sebastian’s voice echoes down the hallway.
