“You can do it,” Noah says instantly. “And I’ll help. I made the gym’s site.”
My throat tightens, a pleased flutter going off in my stomach. “I’d love that.”
Aiden glances between us again with a faint smile, then slides a plate of pancakes onto the counter. “That’s great, I’m proud of you. Breakfast now, planning later.”
The praise feels a little bittersweet. I want him to be proud of me, but I’m not sure I deserve it. Maybe with Noah’s help I can.
Noah grins at him, but his gaze drifts back to me, and it feels like a steady, invisible thread forms between us that doesn’t loosen all morning.
I take Rose to the store with me for a couple of hours while Aiden goes grocery shopping, and Noah heads to the gym.
She’s always been a surprisingly easy kid to look after, though I suspect that’s her, not my skills. She’s all energy and easy laughs, with an unshakable love of picture books, meaning the store is easy entertainment. The place is a mess whenever I bring her here, but I don’t mind, she could take every book from the shelves, and I’d be happy once she is.
I set up a little nest of cushions in the nook for us. Rose sits cross-legged beside me, tiny denim overalls and her dark curls sticking out at odd angles, as I readThe Very Hungry Caterpillarfor the seventh time in a row.
Customers come and go, pausing to wave or crouch to say hello. Rose beams at each one, waving like she’s the tiny mayor of Willowrun. When I finish ringing up the latest customer, we sit back down, and she picks the same book up again, making me laugh.
“Well, if it isn’t my favorite Shaws.”
I look up to find Ciarán grinning at us. Rose shoots up and runs to him, and he catches her, spinning around.
“Kee,” she giggles, not quite able to pronounce his name yet.
“Mio tesoro. How are ya, cutie?” he asks, and she buries her face in his neck, tugging his hair.
I stand up and cross the space. “Hey. I didn’t expect you this early.”
He shrugs. “I just thought I’d pop by sooner rather than later.”
He’s clearly here to see Rose. I told him and Abbie in the group chat earlier that I was taking her. He’s smitten with her.
“You okay with her for a minute if I run upstairs and make tea?”
He grins. “Of course, you might perish without your tea. Go on, we’re good.”
I head upstairs, grab a pink mug, and quickly make my tea. I look at the dying plants on the windowsill and sigh.
I turn and see a green Post-it on the fridge door.
Why did the tea bag blush?… Because it thought the water washot. - N
The snort comes unbidden. They’re getting worse. I can’t even tell if they’re funny or just ridiculous at this stage. I take it off the fridge and add it to my collection. There’s an ache in my cheeks from how wide I’m smiling.
When I head back down, tea in hand, I freeze at the top of the stairs. Aiden is standing behind the shelves, peering through the books at Ciarán and Rose. He hasn’t noticed me. Ciarán’s singingHakuna Matatawhile Rose follows along incoherently, getting every other word right. I move closer on silent feet and see they’re dancing in the nook. When I glance back at Aiden, he’s got a goofy smile on his face watching them.
I place my mug quietly on a shelf and sneak up behind him.
“What are you doing?”
He practically levitates. “Holy shit, Gabe!” he gasps in a whisper. “You trying to give me a heart attack?”
I tilt my head in question, waiting for him to answer me.
He shuffles on his feet. “Just looking at my daughter,” he finally replies, sounding defensive. “How was she?”
“We had a great time,” I tell him. “She’s amazing.”
“Of course she is, she’s my child.”
