“I shouldn’t say anything.”She sighed.“If I moved, I’m sure he’d see them more often.They love seeing him.Theyneedto see him.”
“Funny how the onus is on you to make it easier for him, though.”
Annie flinched, crossing her arms over her chest.Any time she spoke badly of Roy, a sinking guilt hit her immediately.Roy could still make her question herself.Was it her fault he didn’t see the twins more?Or was it his?
Did it have to be anyone’s fault?She needed to be mature and do what was best for the twins.If that was moving to Seattle, then so be it.
“I think,” he said gently, “your mom is onto something.Moving there, being removed from everyone who knows and loves you – that’s not nothing.”
She bit her lip.He had a point—it was one of the thoughts she wrestled with constantly.It wasn’t just finding a place to live that she could afford, or finding a new job.She’d have to find a new support system, if that was even possible.
“I know.”
Landslide by Fleetwood Mac carried over the speakers and Annie gasped, putting a hand to her chest.“Ilovethis song.”
“Me too.”He stepped forward, his hand outstretched, “Shall we?”
Her heart took off in her chest.“Here?”
“Why not?”He untied his apron and tossed it onto the kitchen counter.
She stood from the kitchen stool, her head spinning.Was it the wine, or was she swooning?
It was unlike her to swoon.It couldn’t be that.
There wasn’t time to dwell on it.She put her hand into his, the skin of his palms rough and warm, and he led her to an open spot near the dining room table.
Annie placed a hand on the back of his neck.He put his hand around her waist and gently pulled her closer, his massive frame swaying left, then right, guiding her.
How could someone so large be so graceful?
“I’m not trying to influence you,” he said, his voice low.
His face was so near hers, but she’d have to stand on her tiptoes to close the distance.The thought made the breath catch in her throat.
“I know,” she said.“I want to do the right thing.I just don’t know what that is.”
He stared at her intently, his face unreadable.
She was spurred to speak again.“Thank you so much for having us.Everything was delicious, and Bella was so welcoming.I felt like royalty.”
A smile hitched the corner of his mouth.He leaned his head closer to hers and dropped his voice.“I’m glad to hear it.It’s no less than you deserve.”
Her heart pounded in her chest.What did he mean by it all?Was this more of him feeling bad for her?
Annie’s head spun, and she stared up at him, unable to break away from his eyes.
The front door opened with a creak.
“I’m back!”Bella’s voice called out.
They flew apart, with Annie standing like a fool and Miles almost teleporting next to the kitchen sink.
“That was fast,” Miles said.
Bella walked in, her hair tousled.“Those little ones were so tired.We got them in bed as fast as we could, and they were asleep within minutes.”
Nothing seemed to register on Bella’s face.No recognition of seeing them dance, no hint of the weirdness in the air.Thank goodness.
