Danika’s stomach flipped at the thought of Trey thinking about her—a feeling like an old high school crush, which was also how she’d felt after first seeing Chat’s photo, his application.
“Does he know you’re here?”
Chat stretched his arms over his head, letting them hang off the top of the recliner.
“I never told him, or my parents. I knew they’d tell me not to come to Aldon Lakes and stir things up. I wanted to see if I could help before I said anything.”
Danika felt another swirl in her stomach as she imagined Chat telling everything to Trey. There were so many emotions now piling up inside her, she didn’t know where to focus. But it was time; she had to confess, too.
“You know, Chat. I knew all along. I knew who you were from the start.”
Chat turned to her, propping up on one elbow. His face remained still until he lifted half his mouth in a smile.
“I wondered. At the luau, when Augie said Trey was my uncle, you didn’t react. Of everything, that didn’t seem to surprise you. I had no idea before, though. I kind of feel like an idiot. Here I thought I was so smooth.”
Danika couldn’t help it then. It all felt so outrageous, she laughed. She laughed so hard she couldn’t stop.
“Okay, I know you and Trey aren’t exactly twins.” She caught her breath; Chat was laughing now, too. “But come on, you look like him.Actlike him. And your name—of course I knew. How many Chats are there? You know we’ve met before.”
Chat gripped the recliner’s armrests. “Are you sure? I feel like I would have remembered you. Even as a kid.”
“Well, it was only once. Trey, your dad, you know... But yes, it was Halloween one year. You were about eight. Trey and I came to hand out candy while you all went trick-or-treating. You were dressed like—”
“Buzz Lightyear?” Chat sat higher.
“You do remember.”
“I remember those photos—that was the only year my parents dressed up together. They were...”
“Woody and Jessie.”
Danika and Chat studied each other. Smiled.
“Well, damn. I just figured that if youdidknow who I was, you never would have wanted me around. You never would have hired me in the first place. Trey said it ended badly, and you acted so normal and nice, I assumed you didn’t have a clue.”
“I’m glad you thought I was acting normal.” Danika crossed her arms, hugging herself. “I was so nervous the first time I called. I worried you knew whoIwas. Bunch of liars we are, huh?”
“White liars, I’d say.” They sat in companionable silence for a moment, letting the relief of the last ten minutes settle.
“I do want you to know, though,” he said, lower, “everything I said in that interview was true. I really do love kids. I really did need a summer job. My friend really was a manny. And I really did have a good summer with you. I wasn’t trying to be dishonest. I appreciated getting to know you. All you shared with me.”
“I had a good summer with you, too, Chat.”
“And, you know, Trey will want to talk to you. Once I tell him everything, I know he will. He’s never wanted to intrude on your life, but he misses you.”
Danika felt as if she were hovering outside her body, listening to everything unfold. Yesterday, she’d sensed her life was about to change, but she’d never expected this.
“He’s still teaching English, by the way. He’s a director at that program he started with after hockey. He’s doing well. I’ll let him tell you about it.”
Danika softened, a peace coming over her.
“Chat, I—” she finally said. “I also have to apologize. About... Augie.” She forced out the words. “For overreacting this summer. It wasn’t fair and I, well, I apologize.”
Danika sensed Chat’s surprise.
“I know it’s embarrassing,” she continued, equally surprised by her admission, “but I felt threatened by her. I was afraid to lose you. To lose you... too.”
Chat paused, but then reached out between them, opening his palm, and once again, like at the model home, they held hands. This time, she squeezed once and let go.
