“Well, then…” I hesitated, wishing there were something more I could do or say. Yet again, I was at a loss. “I guess I’ll wish you goodnight.”
“Goodnight.” Cal smirked, holding Alexis closer to him.
I flattened my lips, wanting so badly to ask Alexis what the hell she was doing. But again, just the nanny. Except, I wasn’t. And the fact that I was being dismissed like I was nothing more than the hired help made me want to punch something, preferably Cal’s smug grin.
I texted Indy, picking up some dinner for her and Sam’s parents before heading back to the hospital. I spent the evening there, wishing I could go back in time to before Sam’s suicide attempt, before Sophia’s fall. Logically, I knew it wasn’t my fault Sam had attempted suicide. Just as I knew it wasn’t my fault Sophia had broken her wrist. But that didn’t change the fact that I hadn’t been there for the people I loved when they needed me most.
After a restless night, I awoke to the beep, beep, beep of a truck backing up. I peeked through the window to see a flurry of activity on the lawn. Decorations were being hung, tables were being set up, and balloons tied down.
I texted Indy to check in—no change. And then I showered and threw on some clothes before heading over to the house. I didn’t know what to expect today, but I knew I wanted Sophia to enjoy her birthday party. I knew how excited she’d been, and I hoped her injury wouldn’t put too much of a damper on her spirits.
As for Alexis, I fully intended to explain what had happened. But not today. Today was about Sophia and celebrating her life.
Sophia was sitting at the table with Cal and Alexis when I walked up to the sliding glass doors. They looked like the picture-perfect family, and I hesitated to interrupt their moment.
“Preston!” Sophia called, spotting me first.
She jumped out of her chair and ran over to the doors. Fuck if that didn’t make my heart burst. She wrapped her good arm around me, squeezing me tight.
“Happy birthday, princess.” I smiled, hugging her back. “Let me see this new accessory,” I said, gesturing to her cast. It was hot pink—of course.
I crouched down to her level, needing to look her in the eye. “I’m sorry I couldn’t be there yesterday. But you were very brave, and I’m glad you’re okay.”
She nodded. “I’m okay. Plus—” she grinned “—everyone’s going to think my cast is so cool. Did you know it’s waterproof?”
“Really?” I asked, feigning surprise. “That’s so awesome. And you know what will make it even cooler?”
She scrunched up her face. “Sequins?”
I laughed. Leave it to Sophia to want to add sequins to her cast. Though, she wasn’t too far off with her idea of embellishing it. “No. I was actually thinking you might like to have Kate decorate it with a mermaid or some scales or whatever you want, really.”
“Really?” She hopped up and down.
I nodded. “As long as it’s okay with your mom, that is.”
Alexis smiled, but I didn’t miss the dark circles beneath her eyes. “I think it’s a great idea.”
I hung around, hoping for a moment alone with Alexis, but it never came. Cal was always hovering nearby, or she was talking with her friend Juliana. When she disappeared upstairs to get ready, I briefly contemplated scaling the trellis just so I could talk to her. But the yard was crawling with people setting up for the party. And then guests started arriving, and I knew it was hopeless.
Still, I kept watching, waiting for an opening. Not to explain where I’d been—the middle of Sophia’s birthday party wasn’t the time or the place for that. But more to see if she was okay. Her makeup may be immaculate, but it couldn’t disguise the fact that her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. I could feel the tension she carried between her shoulders as if it were my own. She put on a good performance, but she couldn’t hide the truth from me—it was all an act.
Fortunately, Sophia was having a blast. And the cast didn’t seem to be slowing her down one bit. She jumped into the pool, laughing and splashing with her friends, some of whom I’d met this summer, a few I recognized from her school.
“Hello, Preston,” Margaret said, sidling up to me.
We’d met while I was nannying for Theo, and I always got the distinct impression that she was interested in me. Not that I’d ever done anything to encourage her. And the way she looked at me made my skin crawl.
“Margaret.” I lifted my chin in greeting before taking a sip of my drink.
She, like most of the other moms, was wearing a bikini with a sheer cover-up. Though I knew for a fact that none of them would so much as dip a toe in the water. God forbid they mess up their hair or makeup.
“Listen, what are your plans for this fall?” she asked.
I tried to keep a blank face. What was she driving at? “I’m not sure yet. Classes start soon, and I have a few semesters left until I finish my degree.”
“I love that—lovea man who is intelligent.” She dragged a finger down my arm.
I tried not to visibly react to her touch, though I could feel sweat trickling down my back. What was she up to?
