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And Maggie starts screaming.
I deflate. “Was asleep,” I moan, waving off Zinnea’s sorry eyes. “It’s fine.” I stand and take her from Beau, starting to bounce her lightly.
“Everyone,” Zinnea whispers, pulling Quinton into her side. “It’s my pleasure to introduce you to Quinton.” She looks at him with love hearts in her eyes. “Isn’t he wonderful?”
“Wonderful,” Beau says, standing and being the first to greet him with a hug. “Good to see you again, Quinton.”
“And you, Beau. And I believe congratulations are in order. How wonderful.”
“Thanks.”
“Wonderful,” we all murmur, every one of us smiling like idiots, fascinated by the duo that is Zinnea and Quinton.
“This is Esther,” Zinnea says as Beau goes back to her seat. “She’s Rose’s mother-in-law and the family matriarch.”
“I thought that was your title, Zinnea,” Esther says, standing and hugging Quinton as Zinnea chuckles. “Lovely to meet you, Quinton.”
“And you, dear.”
“And that is Rose and the beast.” Zinnea sweeps out a flamboyant arm as I edge out and give Quinton a one-arm cuddle. “Pleasure,” I say, holding Maggie up for him to see.
“Hello, beast,” Quinton coos, dipping and smiling at Maggie. She screams in his face, and Quinton recoils.
“Sorry, she’s grouchy today.”
“Give her here,” Esther says, holding out grabby hands. “Come to Grandma.” She takes her and wanders off up the café, hushing her.
“Colic?” Beau asks, and I shrug, feeling a bit defeated by the whole situation. Feeling like I’m doing something wrong. I need to talk to Doc again.
“This here is Pearl,” Zinnea goes on. “There’s Anya, and over there we have Rose’s son Daniel, and that’s Tank.”
Quinton looks at Tank, wide eyed, and Tank smiles, trying to look friendly. I laugh, lowering to my chair. “Do you want a drink, Quinton?”
“I’d kill for a chai tea latte.”
“No need to kill, darling,” Zinnea quips, laughing lightly, flashing us all round eyes. “We’re all friendly around here.”
I press my lips together and look at Beau, who is equally amused.
“So,” I say, relaxing back. “When are you introducing Quinton to the men?”
Pearl snorts, Anya chuckles, Beau knocks her coffee cup on the plate, and Zinnea laughs harder.
* * *
It was so lovely to drink coffee, chat, just . . . be. I almost forgot how tired I am. As Tank loads the stroller into the car, I watch Daniel, my heart becoming heavier. His despondency. His missing sparkle. God damn it, I can fix this. Or try my hardest. I look at my cell. School’s out in an hour. I dial Lennox, walking a few meters away from Tank, but not so far he’ll give me earache for it.
“Hi, Rose.”
“Hi.” We haven’t spoken since he told me he knew exactly who my husband is. In fact, I’m surprised he’s taken my call. “I wondered if you’d mind Daniel coming over to see Barney.” I’m certain Danny won’t approve, but I can’t stand by and watch my kid be miserable.
Lennox is silent for a few, uncomfortable seconds. “We’d love that. We’ve missed him.”
I sag. “Thank you. I’m going to the school to see if I can appeal to Principal Tucker’s reasonable side.” And perhaps to gently remind him—as Daniel reminded me—that Danny’s funded a hell of a lot of projects in the short time Daniel’s been a student there.
“As you should,” Lennox says. “And I’ll happily vouch for your family, Rose.”
“You would?” I ask, stunned.
