Page 123 of What He Keeps

Her face brightens when she sees me. “Good mornin’,” she says, leaning up to kiss me.

Roman lowers his phone. “I see domestic life continues to corrupt you.”

Maggie laughs as she slides into the chair beside mine. “You know, most people say good mornin’ before insultin’ folks.”

“I’ve known my brat too long for unnecessary pleasantries.”

Before Maggie can answer, footsteps thunder across the hallway. Ivy bursts into the kitchen wearing a blue dress covered in tiny flowers, her backpack already hanging from her shoulders.

“Papa!” she announces. “Mrs. Bennett made cinnamon rolls because it's my first day back.”

Mrs. Bennett beams. “A special occasion deserves a special breakfast.”

Ivy climbs into her chair beside Maggie and launches into a detailed explanation about everything she plans to do at school.

“I need to tell Sophie about Winston. And Emma got a hamster right before break, so maybe she brought pictures. And today is art day, and after school I have dance.”

Maggie smiles into her coffee. “Sounds like you've got a busy schedule.”

I stare at the printed schedule lying beside my plate.

Maggie notices.

Of course, she notices.

“Alexei,” she says, amusement warming her voice, “she's excited.”

“I’m aware.”

“You're glarin’ at the school schedule.”

“The schedule is inadequate.”

Roman makes no effort to hide his amusement.

“What precisely is inadequate?” Maggie asks.

I tap the paper. “There’s a thirty-two-minute period between school dismissal and dance class arrival. I don’t like unnecessary transit windows.”