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“No. I’m just trying to work out what to do.”
“Why don’t you go over to the school at the end of the day and suggest a picnic down by the creek?”
“A picnic?”
“Why not? The weather’s usually not too bad in the evenings, and it’s romantic down there.”
“Yeah, I guess it is, and if you can mind the store for a while, I could go to the deli and get a few things for us to eat.”
“Now you’re really taking liberties,” she says with a smile.
I’ve been undecided about coming to the school ever since Katie suggested it, and I almost changed my mind about the whole picnic thing while I was on my way to the delicatessen, wondering if I should just call her this evening instead. I saw it through in the end, though, and my refrigerator is groaning with cold meats, cheeses, pickles and salads.
“You’re gonna be late, if you’re not careful,” Katie said, checking her watch.
“I know, but…”
“But nothing. You need to stop worrying.”
“What if she thinks I’m hassling her?”
“She won’t. Now get going, will you?”
She practically pushed me out the door, and I gave her a wink as I left, then crossed the street, my steps feeling lighter already. That’s what Zara does to me… among other things.
Turning into Mulberry Lane, I spot a bright yellow Corvette, which has been parked really badly, and I smile to myself. I have a philosophy about people and parking, which is that if you can’t park a car, you shouldn’t be driving it, and that definitely applies in this instance. Still, I’ve got more important things to think about… like Zara, and avoiding being seen by Sabrina. The last thing I need is her questioning my presence, so I make my way to the corner of the schoolyard, where there’s a group of moms, some of whom have strollers, and pre-school-age kids, and I do my best to hide behind them.
The bell rings, but it always takes a few minutes for anyone to emerge, and I glance around just as the door of the Corvette opens and a man steps out.
“Jesus,” I mutter under my breath. It’s Dean, and he strolls over, catching the eye of most of the young women in the schoolyard. He clearly knows it, too, and is positively preening himself, lapping up their attention. A couple of them even wander over to him and start a conversation, and while his presence makes me angry, at least he’s too preoccupied to notice me.
The school door opens and a few of the older kids come out, making for the gate. They’re followed by some younger ones, and within seconds, I spot Zara. She’s wearing gray pants today, with a pale blue blouse, her hair tied up in a ponytail, and she’s holding hands with Addison, the two of them talking. Addy seems interested in something Zara’s saying, and that’s when I notice Laurel. I hadn’t seen her until now, but she steps up and starts talking to Zara, Addy switching hands, and holding her mom’s now.
For a moment, I’m mesmerized by the sight of Zara, and I wish everyone else would disappear, so we could be alone, but then I notice Nash. He’s just come out and is talking to that same little girl he was with yesterday. She’s laughing about something, and he’s waving his hands, like he’s telling a story, which she finds amusing. It’s cute, and I watch them for a second, until Dean comes over and interrupts.
I can’t hear what he’s saying, but Nash glares up at him, and then turns to his friend, whispering something, before he follows Dean from the schoolyard. They don’t hold hands, and Dean doesn’t wait when he gets to the gate. He just crosses the street and gets into his car, leaving Nash to navigate the traffic by himself. I take a step forward, fear rising in me. There are cars everywhere. It’s busy, and he’s only eight. Maybe I’m over-protective, but he’s my son, and I remember only too well how he nearly walked out into the street yesterday, and would have done if I hadn’t stopped him. Part of me wants to march over to Dean and tell him how irresponsible he’s being, and then take Nash home myself. I’m about to move forward when Nash steps off the sidewalk and I heave out a sigh of relief as he makes it safely to the other side and climbs into the passenger seat of Dean’s car.
I’m angry that Sabrina left her boyfriend to do her job, rather than asking me. She knows I’d have collected Nash, if she’d asked, and I pull out my phone to call her. She needs to realize she can’t pull stunts like this… except the schoolyard isn’t the right place to have that conversation, and I probably need to calm down a little first. If I don’t, I’ll say something I regret. I know I will.
I put back my phone and turn my attention to Zara. Laurel and Addy have gone, and I feel my pounding heartbeat quell as she smiles down at a little girl with dark brown hair, and says something before her mom comes over and takes her away.
There are still a few little ones standing close by, but the coast seems fairly clear and I wander over, my hands buried in my pockets. She notices me when I’m still a way off, and tilts her head, her brow furrowing, even as a smile touches at her lips.
“I didn’t expect to see you here,” she says. “If you came to collect Nash, he’s already gone. I just saw him leave.”
“I know. With Sabrina’s boyfriend.”
“Oh. Can I assume you’re not happy about that?”
“You can. But how did you know?”
“The look in your eyes.”
She knows me so well already. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay,” she says with a smile. “But if you’re not here to collect Nash…”
“I’m here to see you.” Her smile widens, and her cheeks redden in the most charming of blushes. “I wondered if you’d like to come out with me again tonight… unless you’re busy, of course.”
