So why did my stomach twist at the thought of them alone together?
Kim uncovered the phone. "I'd love to. Thank you for the invitation." A pause. "Yes, I'll see you then. Goodbye."
She handed the phone back to me. "Thursday night. Some restaurant called Le Bernardin."
"That's her favorite." I pocketed the phone. "You'll like it. The food is incredible."
"I've never been to a place like that."
"You'll be fine. She already likes you."
Kim didn't look convinced.
I walked her up to her building, up the stairs, down the hallway to Dani's apartment. Kim knocked, and a moment later the door swung open.
Dani took one look at me and grinned. "Well, well. If it isn't Prince Charming."
"Dani," Kim said warningly.
"What? I'm just observing." Dani leaned against the doorframe, still grinning. "You know, Kim talks about you all the time. Xavier this, Xavier that. It’s never-ending."
"Dani."
"I'm flattered," I grinned. "I was worried she didn’t like me."
"Oh, I didn’t say that shelikedyou." She gave me an impish smile. “Just that she talks about you a lot.”
“Ouch.” I made a gesture like she’d stabbed me in the heart. “On the other hand, I’d love to hear what she’s been saying about me. May I interest you in a fancy dinn?—”
Kim made a strangled sound. "Okay, that's enough. Where's Zoe?"
"Living room. She's been asking about you all?—"
"Mr. Xavier!"
A small body hurtled out of the apartment and collided with my legs. Zoe wrapped her arms around me, squeezing tight, her face pressed against my thigh.
"You came to visit!"
The force of her hug, the complete trust in her grip, did something to my chest. That feeling again—the paternal one, the one I didn't know what to do with.
I crouched down to her level. "Hey, munchkin. How was your day?"
"Good! I drew a picture of a kite. Want to see?"
"Maybe tomorrow, baby," Kim said. "It's getting late."
Zoe's face fell slightly, but she nodded. "Okay. Bye, Mr. Xavier." She hugged me again, tighter this time. "Will you come fly kites with us again soon?"
"Absolutely." I hugged her back, breathing in the scent of strawberry shampoo and childhood. "It's a date."
Kim gathered Zoe and her things. At her apartment door, she turned back to look at me. Our eyes met.
"Goodnight, Xavier."
"Goodnight, Kim."
She disappeared inside. The door closed.
