"Looking at me like you're trying to solve a puzzle," I say, folding my hands behind my head. "What's going on in that pretty head of yours?"
"Hmm," she hums absentmindedly. "I don't know yet. I think that's what I'm trying to figure out."
"There's not much to figure out here," I laugh. "I'm a simple man. An open book. Especially for you."
A small crease forms between her eyebrows, still looking at me without lookingatme.
"Things like that," she mutters under her breath.
"What are you talking about?" I ask, growing more bewildered by the second.
"Oh never mind," she sighs. "It'll come to me eventually."
"Okay, weirdo," I scoff. "Tonight was fun," I add quietly. "Thanks for letting me be a normal boy. And for, you know, including me."
"In what world would we do Halloween without you?" she muses.
We.
"Don't get used to it," she adds with a smirk, sliding the rabbit ears off her head and shaking her curls loose. "This," she says, waving a hand at my outfit, "was a one time deal, Jack Robbit."
"Oh great," I mutter sarcastically. "And don't call me that."
She places her hands on my shoulders, stooping down to kiss me on the forehead before leaving the room.
"Not a chance," she calls from down the hall.
After changing into a t-shirt and flannel pants, I flop on the couch bed, staring up at the ceiling.
What in the hell was all of that about?
I don't know what she could possibly need to figure out when it comes to me. But I hope I don't have to wonder for too long.
Chapter 43
Abby
Six Months
"Gimme, gimme, gimme," Ellie demands, grasping at thin air until I hand Erin over to her.
Sliding into the booth while she blows raspberries on Erin's cheek, I notice several patrons turn our direction to find the source of the enthusiastic shrieks.
"You're disrupting the diner, Eleanor," I warn.
"Don't care, didn't ask," she says after one final smooch, perching Erin on her knee and bouncing her up and down. "They should be thanking us for gracing them with her presence," she sings in a baby voice. "I ordered you fries and a milkshake already, by the way," she adds in a normal tone.
"Ugh, I love you," I say, dramatically flopping against the back of the booth.
"Why do you look troubled, my sweet ginger angel?" she asks, setting Erin in the high chair brought over by the waitress and rummaging in the diaper bag for the bottle of yogurt puffs before turning her attention to me. "Everything okay?"
"I don't know," I say slowly. "Yes? No? Maybe?"
"Oh, well that clears it up," she scoffs, shaking the contents of the canister onto the tray Erin is currently smacking ferociously. "Say more words, please."
"I've just been thinking a lot lately," I say vaguely. "About everything."
"Abigail Thompson, don't piss me off," she growls.
