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“Just low. It’s done, just needs to stay warm.”
“Got it.”
I slide the crockpot across the counter and plug it into the under-mounted socket. When I look up her eyes dart away from me and search the room for him again.
“It smells amazing by the way! So how long have the girls played together?” They’ve disappeared into Gin’s room to grab the rest of her things and her overnight bag.
“Just the last two years. The team’s really good though. I hope they get to the national round this year.”
“Oh, I know Gin would love that. She’s so good. I’m hoping she sticks with it. I want to see her win the World Cup someday.”
“She’s phenomenal. Are you… are you, her mother?”
I smile.
“No. I wish I was that lucky. Just a really old friend of Gabe’s. Old enough to remember when Gin was in diapers.”
“Ugh. Don’t talk about me in diapers, Aunt Aurora!” Gin’s back in the room, her bag slung over her shoulder and a pillow in hand.
“I can’t help it. You were really freaking adorable, Gin. Like… the cutest baby I’ve ever seen. Chubby little thighs and this laugh that just made everyone in the room giggle.”
“Ugh!” Gin rolls her eyes and grabs a couple of pops out of the fridge, but her smile doesn’t fade when she slides a look at me.
“Did your dad say you could have those?” I eye her.
“No, but you did.” She grins brighter.
I let out a pretend gasp at her implicating me in her crimes. I glance up to check Amelia’s mom’s reaction. She doesn’t strike me as the kind to let them have too much sugar, even if it is a sleepover.
“You’re going to get me in trouble with Ms. Stuart. Making her an accomplice around here.”
“It’s okay.” Ms. Stuart shakes her head, her eyes searching for Gabe again and looking relieved when she finds him coming into the room. I could kiss him myself. This awkward dance with his number-one fan is getting weirder by the moment.
“Dad, Aunt Aurora said I could have pop. Can I take one for Amelia too?”
Gabe’s head jerks up, and he does a sudden assessment of the room before his eyes land back on Gin.
“Aunt Aurora said, huh?” He eyes me, and I give a sheepish shrug. “I guess if it’s all right with Ms. Stuart. She’s the one who has to deal with you two hellions tonight.”
Both girls turn to look at her, and she looks like a deer in headlights for a moment before she nods.
“Ms. Stuart has also saved you from my cooking tonight. She brought you something. It smells delicious.” I look at Gabe and nod to the crockpot.
“Oh.” Gabe looks like the one caught in headlights now. “Thank you. You didn’t have to do that.”
“I can take it back home. Not a problem. I didn’t know you had company.” Her eyes shift to me again, and I plaster mine back down to the bowl in front of me. If I could melt away into the wall I would. I haven’t seen Gabe with anyone since college and adult Gabe in some sort of potential situationship with Gin’s friend’s mom is intriguing.
“It was an unexpected surprise.”
“Aunt Aurora ran away from her wedding,” Gin blurts.
“Gin!” Gabe scolds her, and her shoulders shift back.
“Well, it’s true.” I can feel myself flush.
“Some things are personal, Gin.” Gabe gives her another look, and she shifts on her feet.
“It’s okay. Ms. Stuart and Amelia are good friends,” I reassure Gin and give Gabe a look.
