Opening it, I’m greeted by a wide-eyed Ben. He rushes through the door, followed by Claire.
“I can’t believe it,” he exclaims as he wrestles his coat off and drops it to the floor.
Crouching down to his height, I ask him, “What can’t you believe, buddy?”
Taking my cheeks in his tiny hands, he stares into my eyes. “You live in the house with all the little men. Mommy and Uncle Riot told me, but I didn’t believe them because Logan lives here and he looooves the little men. But then Auntie Hannah said that Logan is having sleepovers at her house now. I just can’t believe it.”
Claire picks up his forgotten jacket and hangs it on a hook. “Now do you believe me? Here she is.”
“Here I am.” I stand, pulling him up and onto my hip. He’s growing so big I might not be able to do this much longer.
“Will you take good care of Logan’s little men?” he asks, looping his arms around my neck.
“Absolutely.” I give him one last squeeze before placing him on the floor in the kitchen.
Ben looks at Ryan, who’s leaning against the counter, and tilts his head. “Do you live here too?”
“No, I’m visiting your Aunt Beck.”
“Do you have sleepovers?” he asks innocently. “Uncle Riot sometimes has sleepovers at my house. He sleeps on the couch. Do you sleep on the couch?”
Ryan glances at Claire, not sure how to answer her curious son.
She chuckles and says, “Ben has been very curious about sleepovers lately.”
Before Ryan can answer, Meg and Hannah arrive, and they’ve brought snacks.
“Happy housewarming and book club,” Meg says, handing me a small plant.
“Thank you. You didn’t have to get me anything,” I say, holding it up in front of my face, admiring its fuzzy little leaves and purple flowers. “I’ve never owned a plant before.”
“It’s an African violet. They are super easy to take care of. It doesn’t need direct sunlight, and you only need to water it when the top of the soil gets dry. It’s a great starter plant.”
“Awesome. It can hang out with Lucy on the counter,” I say, setting it down beside my little gnome.
“Are you settling in okay? Do you need anything?” Hannah asks.
“I’m settled in great, and no, I don’t need anything. Exactly what I said the last two times you asked me. I promise I am fine.”
“If you’re sure. I just worry.” To Ryan she says, “Logan is waiting for you out in the truck. He’s nervous.”
“I won’t keep him waiting.”
Turning to me, he steps forward and cups my jaw in his hands. My eyes drift shut as he bends down and presses a kiss onmy lips. Releasing me, he winks.Swoon.“Have a good time. I’ll see you later.”
Moving around our friends towards the mudroom, he says, “Enjoy your book club. I can’t wait to hear all about what you’re reading.” We all watch silently as he puts on his shoes and jacket then leaves.
As soon as the door clicks, Meg pivots her head towards me with wide eyes. “Knowing there was something going on and witnessing it are two very different things. Wow.”
“I can’t believe you are the same two people that could barely stand to be in the same room six months ago.” Claire shakes her head. “But I’ll come back to that.”
Gazing down at Ben, she says, “Where do you want to be? I’ve brought you lots to do, and Auntie Beck said you can watch a movie in the spare room.”
We all tease her that her backpack is like Mary Poppins’s magic carpet bag. It seems bottomless, and no matter what you need, she probably has it with her.
“Ummmmm.” He pulls on his earlobe as he thinks. “Can I watch a superhero movie and play with Play-Doh?”
“No, Play-Doh is a kitchen table activity.” Claire shakes her head.
