“Last year,” he says, giving me a pointed look.
I feel myself flushing. That’s right. He told me about the Labelles’ sudden interest in her on the night of our ceasefire, the night when—
“Well, if there’s a footprint, I’ll find it.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“Obviously,” I say, “and let’s be honest, if you’d asked me to, I would have been inclined to say no. But you didn’t. I volunteered.”
“I don’t want you getting involved,” he says harshly. “It’s not a good idea.”
“I care because of Jane,” I say. “I like her. She’s a bright kid.”
He swears under his breath, looks down at the table, and then nods. “She is.”
“She obviously didn’t get it from you.”
Another nod, this time with a little smirk. “You’ve made your point. You know, she asked me about getting a computer the other day. I guess she likes programming.”
I feel a swell of pleasure from this, because hell, at least I’m not totally wasting my time. Also, like I said, there’s a part of me that sees myself in Jane. “That’s awesome.”
He brushes a hand through his hair. “It would be if I could up and buy her one.”
“I’ll make her one,” I offer, falling into my habit of acting before thinking. “I have a bunch of extra parts and components. You’d only need to buy a few things.”
He gives me awhat the fuck?look, which is fair. We aren’t exactly onI’m going to make a computer for your kidterms. But I’m excited by the idea. Jane would really be into it, and I would have killed to have someone foster my interests when I was her age.
I never had anyone like that. I had to fight for every last thing I wanted.
Besides, Hot Rod has a kid, doesn’t he? Maybe it’s a good idea for me to spend more time around one of them.
You’re spending time with several kids, Holly. You’re trying to justify this dumb idea.
“Rory wanted me to encourage girls who are interested in STEM, Cole,” I say defensively. “That’s the whole point of the Tech Time initiative. In case you haven’t noticed, your daughter is interested in STEM. I’m doing my job by encouraging that interest. She and I can work on the computer together.”
“I don’t think that’s such a good idea, Holly.”
I push my chair back this time. “What? You think I’m going to infect her with feminist ideals or something? Because I won’t lie to you, there’s a very good chance of that happening. Then again, she has her head screwed on straight. She won’t need much guidance.”
“It’s not that…it’s just…”
“Think about it,” I get up, surprised to realize my heart is racing. I find myself thinking of Hot Rod and what he said about forgiveness. Maybe Cole and I can form some sort of ceasefire, if only for Jane’s sake. I’m surprised by how much I want that. “I’d like to do this for her.”
I turn away, but the sound of my name on his lips stops me. “Holly.”
I turn to look at him. “Thank you,” he says, his tone earnest. Hearing those words from his lips is as good as an orgasm.
“I know how much that cost you,” I reply, and the laughter lines around his eyes pinch something inside of me.
I turn away and walk back to my table, fully aware that my siblings and Tina, who has lingered despite the busy afternoon crowd, are all watching me.
“What the fuck was that all about?” Rowan asks with disbelief. “I thought you wanted nothing to do with that guy. He’s been such a shit to you.”
I hear what’s implied but not said—that’s why I dislike him too.
I’m surprised to feel a prick of pain. “Yeah, well, I can’t ever miss an opportunity to needle him. I mean, Cole in a tea shop. Come on, it’s funny. He sticks out like a sore thumb.”
Rowan grins and shakes his head. “God. You and Bryn picked up so many of Nana Mayberry’s crap sayings. You don’t even realize it.”
Tina glances at Cole’s table. “I wouldn’t say he stands out that much. He came in last week with his daughter. He looked awkward as hell holding the little china teacup I purposefully chose for him, but he stuck it out like a champ. It was extremely adorable.”
Fuck. I bet it was.
I scrunch my nose in a study of distaste. “Well, plastic food looks really good too, but I wouldn’t try eating any.”
It strikes me that Bryn has been silent since I returned to the table. She’s giving me a look as if she suspects something, and maybe has for a while.
I’m grateful she stays silent.
