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“We’re coming, Zoe,” he answers, taking my arm again and leading me into the state interview for Lily’s adoption.
* * *
The pleasant-faced interviewer and I sit in the front room. Zoe sets out an offering of coffee and cookies, which no one touches. I have no idea where Lily or Flint have gone, but I remind myself that I need to focus on the task in front of me, not the whereabouts of everyone else.
The questions are easy enough at first. What activities do I do with Lily? How much time do I spend with her each day? The child-focused queries are a breeze because I know Lily’s favorite foods and which book she wants to read at bedtime. Her favorite color is purple, and she only watches shows with unicorns or fairies.
But when the interview turns more personal, I falter, my uneasiness returning.
“How are you finding working for Mr. Sterling?”
“Oh… it’s good!” I respond lamely. Good? That’s the best I can come up with?
“And do you spend a lot of time with him beyond the time you spend with Lily?”
Sweat breaks out over my hairline, and I struggle to keep looking her in the eye. What would they do if I confessed to fucking him almost every night? And his housemates, too?
“Mr. Sterling is an important man. He doesn’t have a lot of time for social visits. But we are both dedicated to doing what’s best for Lily.”
By the time I’m finished with the hour-long process, my palms are drenched.
We step into the foyer, and to my dismay, no one is there to give me any direction.
“Please have Mr. Sterling know I’ll be in touch about the home inspection and the interviews with the rest of the household,” she informs me.
“The rest of the household?” I blurt out, alarmed. What do Zoe and Ryan know about our unconventional relationship?
“Yes, Mr. Hartley, Dr. Taylor, the staff, and of course, Lily herself.”
“Oh…” I sigh.
“Is someone else living here?”
My mind races again, and I wave my head. “No, no. That’s it. Is there anything else you need from me today?”
She eyes me suspiciously and shakes her head. “No. Just be sure to pass along the message to Mr. Sterling.”
“I will. I will,” I agree. “Thank you.”
I all but shove her out the door and lock it behind me, hurrying to the kitchen, where I find Lily and Zoe. Suddenly, my heart freezes again as I look at the housekeeper.
Why haven’t I thought about them before?
“Hi, Aspen!” Lily sings. “Did you have fun on your playdate?”
“Yes, honey, I did,” I mumble.
Zoe glances at me, her familiar, playful smirk quirking at the edges of her mouth. “That bad?” she asks in a low voice.
I shrug and sink onto the stool at the island.
“Need a coffee?”
“A tea,” I reply. “Something without caffeine. Where is Flint?”
“Still in with his interviewer, I believe,” Zoe answers, getting to work and making me a tea. I eye her gratefully but delicately turn to her.
“You know, they’ll be coming back to speak to you, too.”
