Remi
Let me know what time and I’ll be there.
Ella
You’re the best.
Remi
I know
I switch out of her message and tap on the thread between Cole and I.
Ella
I’m free tonight.
Cole
I’ll come by and pick you up at six. Does that work for you?
Ella
That’s perfect.
Cole
See you tonight, El.
“Momma, wook!” Chloe calls out as she points up at the sky. I tilt my head back, looking up at the clouds she’s pointing at. “A heart!”
A smile creeps across my lips as Chloe comes running over to me with a handful of weeds. There’s a smudge of dirt across her cheek and I wipe it away before pulling her onto my lap.
A sense of doubt creeps into my brain, traveling down my torso before sinking into the pit of my stomach. The peace that has settled into my life feels too good to be true. There isn’t a single thing that has been going wrong.
I’m happy.
I’m hopeful.
And I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop…
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
COLE
“Remember, our toys do not go in the fish tank!”
I tilt my head to the side as Ella pulls the door shut behind her and turns around to face me. Her eyes meet mine from where I’m standing at the bottom of the steps and a smile lifts her lips.
“Trust me, you don’t wanna know,” she admits with a soft laugh and a shake of her head. She lets out a soft breath before telling me anyway as she starts to walk towards me. “Somehow toys keep ending up in the fish tank and no one seems to know how they are getting in there.”
“It could be worse, right?” I offer, raising my eyebrows as I hold my arm out for her.
Ella slips hers through mine, letting me lead her to my truck. “It can always be worse.”
I walk her out to my truck, pulling open the passenger side door for her. Ella slips her arm from mine and gets inside. I shut it and make my way over to my side before getting in next to her.
Ella turns to look at me as she buckles her seatbelt. “Are you gonna tell me where we’re going?”
