“I think all Caroline wants is to be a part of Quinn’s day. And I mean, I get why. After spending time with her,I’mready to take your ass to court for custody.”
A smile unfurls across his face as he watches me hop on one foot to get my left shoe over my heel.
“You’re good with her, ya know.”
I choose not to hear thebetter than meI have a feeling he’s implying. Secretly, I want him to say You’re good with me too, but I know he’s a stubborn man, and he’d never admit to needing anyone else.
“I should go,” I blurt, reaching for the door handle. The distance between us is helping me think more clearly, and I’m sure I’ve overstayed my welcome.
“Yeah, I guess I better get to bed too. There will be an alarm clock shaped like a toddler starting my day before I know it.”
I pull on the handle and a draft of cool night air filters through the opening.
“Thanks again for the clothes.”
“You’re welcome. Good night, Summer.”
“Good night.”
He turns around and I slip out the front door. The breeze is a shock to my system, and I realize there’s one more thing I never got the chance to say. I hadn’t closed the door yet, so I push it back open.
“Everett?”
He turns quickly. “Yeah?”
“You’re doing better than you think you are.”
14
EVERETT
Iknow she’s here even before I spot her Range Rover by the clubhouse. On Sundays, Caroline plays bunco with a group of ladies from her country club. The draft of chlorine mixed with Lysol dredges up memories with Eliza as we clear the entrance to the building. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for Summer’s comment on Tuesday night. Her reminder that all Caroline has ever wanted is to be a part of Quinn’s day.
Quinn spots her first, pushed up to a marble-topped table and sipping a margarita. “To-To!”
Caroline’s head turns at the sound of Quinn’s voice, her eyes widening. She pushes out her chair, anticipating her granddaughter’s hug before she’s even close enough to receive it.
“My Quinny! What a happy surprise! What are you doing here?”
She’s looking up at me. Her question is followed by a series ofawwsfrom the five other ladies circling the table. They all fuss over the new red Speedo goggles, ladybug swimsuit, and floaties we picked up at the store on our way here. It’s been an unusually warm spring, so I imagine the pool is already open. If not, I know they have a year-round hot tubshe can swim in. I set Quinn’s overnight bag next to Caroline’s chair.
“I was wondering if Quinn could spend Sundays here with you after bunco. And if she could spend the night tonight too? I could use the extra time in my studio.”
Writing music is not what I intend to do with all of that time, but I don’t tell her that. I know Caroline doesn’t support my career, and she certainly wouldn’t appreciate that I plan to spend my evening with my nanny.
“Of course she can.” She scoops Quinn up in her lap, pushes back into the table, and flags the server. “Pierre, could we get a Shirley Temple please?”
He nods.
“I’ll come pick her up tomorrow morning before school,” I tell her.
“That’s not necessary. It’s on the way to my gym class. I can drop her off.”
“Thanks.”
Quinn’s busy eating up the attention she’s getting that she doesn’t even notice when I duck out the door without a goodbye. I send a quick text to Summer from the parking lot and get back the answer I was hoping for before driving home to pay my neighbor a visit.
“Come in,” she says when she finds me on her porch.
