“Deal,” I said, smiling big enough for the both of us.
We drove downtown, past the row of cozy little shops and businesses that made Ember Hollow feel like something out of a movie. I parked in front of a cute coffee shop and bookstore that was bustling.
The scent of roasted coffee and pastries wafted over us as we stepped inside the warmth of the building. I immediately pulled Hailey tighter against me, as we shifted through the busy front section where the cafe was located. Most of the shop was filled with bookshelves and oversized armchairs. The cafe counter was near the front and the line was long for the evening.
I worried that Hailey might get anxious as we waited, but she stood quietly by my side, gazing around the store with attentive wonder.
“Do you like reading?” I noticed her eyeing the children’s section that was barely visible in the back corner. It was a cozy corner with children’s toys and bean bags. I loved taking Maverick here—
I stopped the thought before it really began, refocusing on Hailey.
She shrugged. “Sometimes.”
“Maybe we can check out the kids’ books after cookies.” I smiled, but she didn’t return it.
She looked away from the bookshop portion of the building. “No. That’s okay.”
My worry intensified, but I didn’t push her.
When we finally reached the front of the line, I ordered two hot chocolates and let Hailey pick out her cookie from the display case.
She smacked her lips as she scanned the options before pointing decisively at the biggest one they had—a thick sugar cookie piled high with swirls of pastel frosting.
The thing was practically the size of her face.
“Excellent choice,” I told her.
She seemed a little proud of herself as the barista slid it onto a plate.
We were lucky enough to find a small table tucked near one of the bookshelves. The cafe buzzed with quiet conversation and the low hum of the espresso machine while the evening faded into darkness outside the windows.
Hailey climbed into the chair across from me and immediately leaned over her cookie. She licked the edge of the mound of frosting, smudging it on the tip of her nose.
It was honestly adorable.
I shifted on my chair as sweat prickled on my forehead. The table we’d found was the closest to the electric fireplace blowing out heat. It would’ve been cozier if the shop hadn’t already been packed with people who made it even warmer. My skin itched, and I was annoyed I couldn’t take off my cardigan because I wore short sleeves underneath. My scars would be bared for all to see and stare at if I took it off.
I stiffened, reminding myself that this wasn’t about me. I focused back on Hailey. I’d brought her here becauseshewas struggling. Me being a little hot was not a big deal.
So, I took a breath, and carefully tried again to get to the bottom of what was bothering her.
“Do you know what I’m really, really good at?” I asked casually.
Hailey took another careful lick of frosting. “What?”
“Listening.”
She frowned but didn’t say anything.
I sighed. “Why don’t you tell me what’s bothering you, Hails? I don’t like seeing you sad.”
She froze. Her eyes shone like she was holding back tears. She swallowed hard, her cheeks flushing red.
“My friends asked me today when my birthday party is,” she confessed.
She scraped a little frosting off the cookie with her finger, staring down at it.
“My grandma always plans my birthday party,” she continued, her voice getting smaller. “She makes decorations and everything. She always makes the cake, too.”
