Page 37 of Safe With You

“I’ll send it over as soon as it’s ready.”

He turned toward the front door, giving me a small wave before pushing it open. The bell chimed softly overhead as he stepped onto the sidewalk, disappearing into the warm evening air.

I watched the door swing shut before shaking my head at myself.

One thing at a time.

I smiled to myself as I made my way back toward the counter, already bracing myself for the questions Naomi was undoubtedly waiting to ask.

Butter melted across the griddle just as I heard little feet padding across the hardwood floor behind me.

"Morning, Bug."

A sleepy "Morning," floated back.

I glanced over my shoulder to find Mila standing in the kitchen doorway, rubbing one eye with the sleeve of her pajamas. Her curls had flattened on one side sometime during the night, and the stuffed dinosaur she’d been carrying around all week hung loosely from one hand. She blinked up at me with the same warm brown eyes everybody swore she’d gotten from me.

She wandered over without saying another word and climbed onto the stool she'd claimed as hers years ago. It wobbled slightly beneath her, though she barely noticed.

"Can I help?"

I looked at her for a second.

"You wash your hands yet?"

Her eyes widened.

"...No."

"Thought so."

She sighed like I'd asked her to do the impossible before sliding off the stool.

"I was gonna."

"I know you were."

A few seconds later, the faucet squeaked on.

I smiled to myself as I poured another scoop of batter onto the griddle. It spread farther than I'd meant it to, one side thicker than the other.

Mila came back drying her hands on the front of her pajama shirt instead of the towel hanging beside the sink.

"Use the towel."

She looked down at her shirt.

"Oh."

Without another word, she walked back and grabbed the towel.

By the time she climbed onto the stool again, tiny damp footprints dotted the hardwood behind her.

"Now can I help?"

"You remember the rules?"

She nodded.