Bennett ruffled River’s hair. “How was your day, bud?”
“Great!” River jumped up and clicked his heels together.
“Love the shoes,” Bennett said to River, endearing himself to me even more.
Now if only I could find a man like Bennett to date.
Chapter Five
“Bennett! Bennett!” River bounded down the hall, fresh from a bath. His hair was still wet, and he smelled like roses. I’d recently learned the scent was the product of a bath bomb.
Until a few days ago, I had no idea what a bath bomb was. Now, I knew they came in all sorts of scents and colors, and some even had surprises inside. River had demonstrated one night by dropping a white ball into the bathtub, which then turned into a rainbow as it fizzed in the water. It was pretty cool.
“Will you read me stories? Pretty please.” He clasped his hands beneath his chin and batted his eyes at me. But I would’ve said yes even before he’d turned up the charm. I was such a sucker when it came to this kid.
I glanced to Wren, who was currently standing at the end of the hall, arms crossed over her chest. “River,” she chided. “We talked about this.”
She looked beautiful but tired, and I wished she’d let me help out more. She refused to accept any money for rent, so I’d made it my mission to stock the fridge and prepare dinner every night. And she wouldn’t let me help with the bills, so I did chores around the house.
Even now, I was trying to assess the situation. I wanted to read him stories—not just because I knew it would help Wren. But because I knew that it would mean a lot to River. And it sounded fun.
“I’d be happy to. But only if it’s okay with your mom.”
He turned to her. “See! He said he wants to do it.”
She sighed, resignation written in her demeanor. “Okay. But don’t expect Bennett to read every night.”
He jumped up and down, dancing in a circle. “Okay. Okay. Yes!” He ran over to the couch and grabbed my hand, tugging. “Come on, Bennett. Come on!”
“Okay.” I laughed, allowing him to pull me along. “Why don’t you go pick out some books, and I’ll be right there.”
I passed Wren on the way to the hall, placing my hand on her shoulders. I dipped down so I could meet her eyes. “Is this okay?”
She nodded but said nothing before shuffling down the hall to her room. “Come get me if you need anything.”
I nodded and then went into River’s room. The space was colorful and cheerful, just like its occupant. The wall behind his bed was covered in a cactus print wallpaper. In the corner of the room, a ladder led up to an attic space where fairy lights twinkled from just beyond the opening.
He patted a spot next to him on the twin bed, and I sat down. “What did you choose?” I asked as he handed me the books. I looked at each one, reading the titles. “The One and Only Sparkella,Ten Rules of Being a Superhero,and…Mother Bruce.” I laughed, settling in. Life with River was never dull, that was for sure.
“Start withMother Bruce,please,” he said, snuggling down in the covers.
“Sure.” I shuffled the books so that one was on top, and then I started reading.Mother Brucewas funny, but I really enjoyedSparkella.At some point during the stories, River rested his head against my shoulder. It felt so normal, so nice to be part of their routine. To be part of his life.
When I’d finished reading the stories, I set them on the bookshelf and turned out the light. The fairy lights still twinkled from his secret hideout. “Goodnight, River.”
I was almost to the door when he said, “Bennett?”
“Yeah?” I paused with my hand on the knob.
“Thanks for reading to me. I’m really glad you’re here.”
His comment hit me right in the feels, as Wren would say.Ugh. What a kid.“Me too, buddy. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Okay,” he said on a yawn, and I stepped into the hall, closing the door softly behind me.
I padded out to the living room and found Wren sitting on the couch with her laptop, the TV playing softly in the background. She was so focused on her computer, she didn’t even hear me come in. I watched her for a minute, committing the image to memory. I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen her more relaxed, and she was absolutely beautiful. Her blond hair was piled on her head, a few tendrils falling down near her face. She’d changed into her pajamas, a pair of fitted joggers and a graphic tee with the words, “Bakers gonna bake, bake, bake, bake,” on it, which made me laugh. She flinched and slammed her computer shut.
“Nice shirt.”
