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“If that’s okay with Kendall. I don’t want to intrude.” I wanted her to know that her feelings mattered.
“It’s fine,” Kendall said, her face pinched.
I wasn’t sure if it was actually fine, but I figured that was as good as I’d get from a nine-year-old. I pulled up another chair.
When I was seated between them, Mark said, “Kendall, this is my friend, Sophie. Sophie, this is my daughter, Kendall.”
“It’s really nice to meet you.” Despite how I resented her existence over the years, it melted away now that she was sitting before me. She was an innocent girl who had no idea what our history was, or what had happened between her parents.
When Kendall didn’t respond, Mark prodded her. “Kendall.”
“It’s nice to meet you too,” she mumbled. Then she took a large bite of the cupcake.
I opened the brown bag, touched that Mark had stopped by with lunch. I unwrapped a club sandwich on rye.
“You made this?” I asked after taking a bite and chewing. The chicken was still warm. The bacon and tomatoes tasted fresh. There was just a little bit of mayo. It was the perfect combination.
“I have this time on my hands, and I’m enjoying having a kitchen to myself.”
He’d gone from living with his parents to enlisting in the military. He’d probably lived in barracks most of his adult life. I was happy he was exploring his independence for the first time.
Kendall rolled her eyes. “If he keeps cooking, I’m going to be fat.”
Mark’s jaw clenched, and I knew why.
“Eat healthy. Everything else in moderation.” I hated when my sisters spoke like that. I wanted to say don’t worry about being overweight or what boys think. Just focus on yourself, but Kendall wasn’t one of my sisters.
Kendall finished the cupcake. She stood, returning the plate to Courtney, who immediately engaged her in conversation. She was using her hands to speak to her. I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but I was grateful that Courtney was talking to her.
“I wanted to talk to you about something,” Mark said, his gaze on Kendall.
I sat back in my chair, wondering what Mark could possibly want. “What is that?”
He rested his elbows on the table, leaning closer to me. “Kendall doesn’t know anyone here. She’s miserable without her friends.”
My skin tingled at his proximity. I needed to finish this conversation and get back behind the counter, away from his heady presence. “How can I help?”
“You have sisters. I know they’re older, but maybe they can point us in the right direction.”
I laughed. “I’m sure they could. They know everyone in this town. They’re older than Kendall, but Ellie’s a sixth-grade teacher.”
“I’d really appreciate it.”
I was really going to regret this. “Why don’t you come to family dinner on Sunday night? Kendall can meet everyone, and Ellie can steer you toward some good kids.”
His gaze was steady on mine.
I wasn’t sure what he was thinking. Was it too much? Was I overstepping? He’s the one who asked for help.
“I’d love that. I miss your dad.”
A lump formed in my throat. He was close to my father. I think it was because there was this sizable rift between Mark and his dad. I hated that for him, but my home became a soft spot for him to spend time.
Mark shook his head ruefully. “And I can’t believe your sisters are all grown up.”
“Did you think nothing changed in the last ten years?” I meant the statement to be light, but it had an unexpected bite to it.
He winced. “No.”
