Normally, I’d say no. I try to leave the two of them alone as soon as Sutton gets home, so as not to intrude. But the unease from that text message changes things. I don’t want to be alone right now, or I’m liable to start googling this fucking podcaster and renting a witch off the internet to curse him.
I’ll save the expense for my second paycheck.
“If it’s okay with your dad, I’d love to stay and watch a movie with you.”
She jerks Sutton’s arm so hard he nearly stumbles. “Daddy? Can Miss Alice stay?”
Sutton gazes down at his daughter, effectively shutting me out. “Of course, Buttercup. If Ms. Thompson wants to stay, she’s welcome to.”
Clearly, Sutton expects me to turn down his daughter.
He should know I’d never willingly break her heart.
The house comes into sight, the yellow front porch light a welcoming beacon. Nellie relieves me of Merit’s leash with an insistent tug. The two of them trot up the driveway ahead of Sutton and me.
“You could still say no,” Sutton grumps. “Make something up.”
“Nellie doesn’t think so.” I casually sweep my hair off my neck and into a messy bun.
Sutton watches my movements from the corner of his eye. “You don’t really want to watch a kids’ movie. You’re just doing it to piss me off.”
I don’t. But I also don’t want to go home.
“Is it working?” I tuck my hands into the back pockets of my jeans. “Come on, Sutton. Is it really going to kill you to sit silently with me for an extra hour and a half?”
“Yes, Ms. Thompson. It just might.”
“Why do you insist on calling me that?”
Sutton turns up his driveway. “Boundaries, Ms. Thompson. Something you seem to lack.”
My jaw drops open, closing again when I can’t find a single retort.
Sutton disarms the security alarm that Nellie left beeping and disappears into the house after his daughter.
He drops it so casually as if he hasn’t been the one skirting boundaries since I showed up here. Dropping by my house and calling me in the middle of the night and showing up at the park to walk his daughter home as if I’m not capable. The only one tripping over boundaries here is Sutton Stone.
Tipping my chin to the sky, I draw in a few cleansing breaths, rethinking my desire to stay longer than I have to. Sutton might have inadvertently given me another reason to hire a witch.
“You comin’, Miss Alice?” Nellie pokes her head out of the door.
I give her a soft smile. “I’ll be right there.”
“I’ll get the popcorn!” The screen door slams behind her.
The glow of the television guides my way to the darkened living room when I enter the house. Nellie sits up on her calves and watches my approach as if she’s afraid I might have changed my mind.
“You can sit by me!” Her little hand pats the empty couch square on her left.
Sutton studiously avoids looking in my direction from his place on her right.
“Thank you, darlin’.” I tap the end of her nose and drop onto the cushion.
“Here.” She shovels a handful of blanket onto my lap. “Sometimes during movie night, it gets cold.” She draws out the word as she fakes a shiver.
The microfiber blanket is soft beneath my fingertips. As I smooth it over my thighs, I realize the fabric is stretched to its limit. A glance down the couch confirms my suspicion. The three of us are sharing it.
I’m beneath the same blanket as Sutton.
