“Oh, okay…” I said, uncertain.
“There’s a little park a few blocks from here,” he went on casually. “I haven’t been, but there’s a pond where you can feed the ducks. We could go over together.”
My eyes lit up before I could stop myself. “Ducks?”
“We could even bring some bread if you have any in the kitchen,” he said with a smile.
“I-I don’t think I should leave without Jace,” I said, even though the idea made something flutter happily in my chest. “He didn’t say I could.”
Aarev tilted his head. “I’m sure he wouldn’t mind.Unless…” He paused, careful, his tone still light. “Unless he’s trying to control where you go.”
My stomach twisted. “He’s not,” I said quickly. “He just worries.”
“Of course,” Aarev agreed smoothly. “And that’s understandable. Still, it might be good for you. It’s just a short walk, and it’s pretty nice outside today. I’ll bring you right back.”
I hesitated, fingers twisting together. Daddy hadn’t said Icouldn’tgo to the park. And feeding ducks sounded so nice.
“…Okay,” I said finally. “But just for a little bit.”
Aarev’s smile returned, warm and satisfied. “Perfect.”
I stood and walked over to the pantry, grabbing the loaf of bread from the shelf.
Daddy would probably understand.
I hoped.
I tucked the bread into a reusable bag and slipped my shoes on by the door. Before I reached for the handle, a thought occurred to me, and I paused.
“Oh—I should text him,” I said, turning back toward the entryway table where my phone was charging. “Just to tell him where I’m going.”
Aarev stopped behind me. “That’s probably a good idea,” he said. “I didn’t know you even had a phone.”
“I’m not very good at it yet. Jace just got it for me a week and a half ago.”
I picked up the phone, the screen lighting up at my touch.
My thumbs hovered over the keyboard.
Before I could type, Aarev added, almost offhand, “Oh—and I don’t know if it’s still there, but I heard there’s a swan at the pond too.”
My head snapped up. “A swan?”
“Yeah,” he said. “Pretty cool, right? I don’t know if it’ll be there today, but it’d be nice to see it.”
I gasped softly, delighted. “Wow. I’ve never seen one in real life.”
“They’re impressive,” he agreed.
My attention drifted completely, my mind filling with the image—white feathers, long neck, gliding across the water like something out of a picture book. I glanced back down at my phone, thumbs moving automatically.
Going to the park to feed ducks. Be back soon ??
I slipped the phone back onto the table, satisfied. “Okay. I told him.”
“Great,” Aarev said smoothly. “Ready?”
I nodded, feeling lighter now that I’d done the responsible thing. I grabbed the bag of bread and followed him out the door, locking it behind us like Daddy had taught me.
