“I am?” Amelia asks, horrified.
My mouth twitches as I add my number to her contacts and hand the phone back.
“I’ve added my number,” I say. “But I’ll leave it up to you whether you return the favor.”
She looks down at the phone in her hand, then back at me.
“I would like to get to know you better,bella,” I continue. “You and Olivia both. If that’s something you’re open to, send me a text, and our line of communication will be open.”
Olivia tilts her head. “Does that mean you’re asking my mama to text you?”
“Yes.”
“Like dating?”
Amelia makes a strangled sound.
I look down at the little girl and answer honestly. “Eventually, I hope so.”
“Oh my gosh,” Amelia whispers.
Olivia nods, clearly approving of my directness. “Okay. But she forgets to charge her phone sometimes.”
“Olivia.”
“And sometimes she reads messages in her head and forgets to answer.”
“Olivia Marie.”
“What? You do!”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I tell her solemnly.
Amelia covers her face with one hand.
I lean slightly closer, lowering my voice so only she can hear.
“No pressure,bella. No expectations. Just an open door.”
Her hand drops from her face, and something soft moves through her eyes.
“Okay,” she says quietly.
I nod, then glance at Olivia.
“Be good for your mama,piccola.”
“I’m always good.”
Amelia snorts softly, causing Olivia to turn an offended look on her mother. “I am.”
“You are,” Amelia says, smoothing a hand over her daughter’s hair. “Mostly.”
I smile, then take a step back before the need to stay overrides the responsibilities waiting for me at home.
Not to mention the fact that I have a set of deranged twin cousins who seem determined to start a war between us and the Shadows.
“Goodnight,bella.”
