Elsie laughs. “No. He’d probably tell us it tasted cheap and that we’re an idiot sandwich.”
We both giggle, reminded of the show we love watching together. It feels so normal, so perfect, that it gives me hope for a second.
This.
This moment right here is why the guys are right.
If Ric continues to live, he’ll always be a danger to us. He’ll never let us just live without him, not if he can change that. He wants to put us in a cage, break our wings, but I won’t allow that to happen to Elsie.
I won’t.
As I sit there, my face must harden because Elsie reaches up and touches it. “Are you okay, Mom?”
I sigh and relax my face. “I’m fine, baby. Just thinking.”
“About dad?”
My expression smooths out. “What makes you think that?”
“You get the same angry look on your face every time you think about him.” She shrugs.
I blow out a breath. “You shouldn’t know that.”
“Why shouldn’t I?” she asks curiously. “I’m nine, not a baby.”
I can’t stop the laugh that rushes out and I shake my head. “Nine isn’t old at all.”
“But I’m not a baby,” she reminds me, pointing at me with her fork. “Besides, I notice a lot. Like the way Mr. Fox, Mr. Otto, and Wylan look at you.” She smiles. “Like the prettiest princess. Wylan even said you were.”
“Ah,” I say, wondering how I even begin to talk about a subject like this.
“It’s okay, you know,” she says.
“What is?” I ask, watching her carefully.
“If they’re around more.” She shrugs again. “They protect us. And they make you happy.” She stabs a meatball with her fork. “I like them, too.”
That’s it. So simple. No explanation needed because my too perceptive nine-year-old has already noticed. Man, I’m bad at this.
“Your face is pinched again,” she points out. “Stop worrying.” She reaches out and takes my hand. “I think we’re going to be okay. Dad can’t hurt us anymore. He’d have to go through Mr. Fox, Mr. Otto, and Wylan.” She takes a bite of the meatball. “And no one gets past Wylan.”
I press my hand to my forehead. “Did he tell you that?”
Elsie grins. “Yes. While wearing the pink tiara and tutu.” She takes another bite. “I think we should get him a princess dress. He seems like he really wants one.”
My lips pull into a smile. “You know what?” I say, pulling out my phone. “I think you’re right. We’ll order it right now.”
After all, the prettiest princess has to wear a dress. Elsie’s rules.
And we gotta follow the rules, or else where would we be?
Forty-Two
Ava
“As you can see,” I start, pointing to the board in front of my team, “we’re on track for the deadline. Creative assures me they’ll be finished by Friday and we’re just waiting on the final graphic files.”
Julia nods. “It sounds like all the moving parts are working perfectly.” She claps her hands together.
