Beth clapped her hands. “Let’s make Ash a plate, okay?”
Crickets.
“Arethere leftovers?” Jay ventured tentatively. “Because I had thirds—’”
Erica pushed back her chair. Her brother was really on her nerves today. “How does soup and oyster crackers sound, Ashley?”
“Amazing,” her eldest niece said, smiling gratefully. “Thanks, Aunt Erica.”
“I can’t believe I didn’t know!” Connor said once Ashley was settled at the table. Only a few people remained; the others had funneled out onto the deck for the Carmichael ritual known as “sunset drinks.” Next to me, Charlie loaded the dishwasher at lightning speed so he didn’t miss it. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Maybe I wanted to surprise you too,” she teased, then she stretched to tousle Connor’s hair. I bit the inside of my cheek, yearning to do the same.
Well, I more wanted torun my handsthrough it—again and again, over and over, perhaps even endlessly.
“We also need to talk,” Ashley said while I considered whether or not some fresh air would do me good. “Right now.”
Even from dish-rinsing duty at the island, my ears perked up.
Connor nodded. “You have my attention.”
“Good.” Ashley paused to accept a glass of white from her dad. “Then you’ll hear me—loud and clear—when I say that you are to take the next week off.”
My heart leaped.What?
Connor’s wide eyes signaled the same, but he quickly shook his head. “Ireallyappreciate it, Ashley, but no. A week is too—”
“It’snottoo much,” she cut him off. “You have spent day in and day out with my children for the last month.”
“You’re paying me to,” Connor reminded her.
“That doesn’t mean you don’t need or deserve a break.”
Her manny didn’t say anything; for once, he looked a little tired.
Wiped out, even.
“I’m only here for a week, Connor.” Ashley took a sip of her wine. “I promise to return them to you.”
“Well…” Connor started, sighed. “I haven’t picked up my stick in days.”
“Perfect,” she said, as Erica set down her bowl of soup. “Play some lacrosse.” She laughed. “And afterward,pleasehave some fun!”
Have some fun.
“I’ll try, boss,” Connor chuckled, and I swear I felt all of space and time freeze when he caught my eye and winked.
* * *
Instead of downing a drink for liquid courage, I sat on the deck and dug into my chocolate spoils. Connor, upon accepting his PTO, was nowhere to be seen. “You’rereallynot going to share?” Nick prodded for the umpteenth time, as I chewed a nutty Turtle. It had been ages since I’d had one; they were far more delectable than I remembered.
“Are you serious?” I swallowed. “I offered you an orange peel.”
“Yeah, but…” My step-cousin sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t like mixing chocolate and fruit.”
I laughed. “Candied orangehardlyqualifies as fruit.”
Nick considered my waxy white bag, but before he could step out of his comfort zone, someone put their hand on his shoulder. We looked up to see Sage with a bright smile on her face. “You ready?” she asked.
