I huff out a broken little laugh. “I'll do it soon. Okay?”
Cole clears his throat behind me. “Funny you should say that.”
I close my eyes, willing myself to find patience. “Cole.”
“You don’t even have to plan it.”
Very slowly, I turn my head over my shoulder.
“We did that for you,” he grins.
Maddox checks his watch. “You’re meeting her in… an hour.”
For a second, all I can do is stare.
Dana gives me a soft, sheepish little smile. “You should shower.”
“And shave,” Cole adds, draping his arm around his wife.
Maddox looks me over. “I second both of these opinions.”
I should argue.A few seconds ago, I would’ve argued on principle alone. I would’ve demanded details, poked holes in their plan. But Penelope's looking up at me with those wet eyes and the absolute faith that grown-ups can fix everything they break if they just try hard enough.
I wish I still believed that as easily as she does.
“Okay,” I rasp, surrendering. “Okay.”
Chapter 39
Carly
I’mthree hours deep into a Twilight marathon and halfway through a family-size bag of sour candy when Zoe kicks the door shut with her hip and says, “Get dressed.”
I don’t look away from the screen. “I am dressed.”
“You are in pajamas.”
“They’re comfy.” I shove another piece of candy into my mouth, talking around it. “And emotionally necessary.”
Zoe drops her keys into the bowl and stares at me like she’s deciding whether to be gentle or effective. “You need real clothes. And to brush your hair. We’re going to the café.”
I finally pause the movie and squint at her. “You just closed the café.”
“Correct.”
“And it is,” I glance at the microwave clock, “seven in the evening.”
“Yep.”
“And you need me in jeans to go… what, sit in a closed café at night?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
She holds my gaze for a beat too long.
My stomach drops. “Zoe.”
