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“I’m so excited that Daddy’s going to coach the team,” Wren said.
“Yeah?” his dad asked with interest. “Need any help?”
“I won’t turn it down.”
“I wonder how many of the kids will have played before?” Sage said.
“They can start in kindergarten, but Wren hasn’t played yet.”
“I’m sure there will be a mix. I’m glad Lola was open to it. I’m sure it’s hard adding another activity with a baby on the way.”
I agreed with that, but Wren deserved to have things in her life, too. Just because the baby was coming didn’t mean Wren’s life should be placed on hold.
We finished eating and cleaned up. Barrett, Harrison, Sage, and Wren went outside to play basketball. I found myself alone with Mabel. She brewed some water for tea while I leaned against the counter.
She pulled two cups down from the cupboard and set out the box of teas Harrison bought her every year for Christmas. “You seem happy.”
“I am,” I said, sifting through the various teas. Those words came easily because it was the truth. I couldn’t imagine moving back to my apartment and spending the weekends alone.
“Good. I’m glad. I’ve wondered about you two. Whether there was anything there.”
Pulling out an Earl Grey, I said, “I think we were in denial. Neither one of us wanted to make a move and ruin our friendship.”
“That makes sense, but then what changed?”
“Harrison convinced me it was a risk worth taking.”
Mabel smiled. “That sounds like my Harrison.”
“He can be very convincing,” I said, thinking of his plan to show me that fairy tales existed. “He and Wren have this crazy plan. He wants to convince me that fairy tales are real. That not all guys—” I broke off, not able to finish the sentence, even though I was close to Mabel, and we’d spoken of my dad on occasion. She listened to me in a way my mother hadn’t.
Mabel’s face softened. “Oh, that’s sweet.”
“Yeah, they queued up all these fairy-tale movies for me to watch. I guess he wants me to feel like a princess.”
If it were possible, Mabel smiled even wider. “There’s nothing wrong with that. Just make sure you’re open to listening to what they’re saying.”
“I’ll do my best.” After my admission, Mabel seemed happier, lighter. I think I’d convinced her, and all I’d really done was tell her the truth.
Later, when our tea was ready, Harrison asked, “Did you talk to my mom? She seems happy.”
I couldn’t help but smile. “Between the hand-holding at dinner and our conversation, I think she believes it.”
“And why wouldn’t she?” he asked, raising my hand to his mouth and kissing it.
Despite my insides quivering at the gesture, I managed to say in a normal tone of voice, “You’re so charming when you want to be.”
He brought our linked hands to his heart. “And here I thought I was charming all the time.”
“I think you’re charming, Daddy,” Wren said as she flung herself into his chest. He grunted at the impact, dropping my hand to tickle her.
Giggles filled the air for the next few seconds while I watched the two of them. I was falling for them. Even without their crazy plan, I never stood a chance. They were irresistible.
Nothing was mentioned about us getting engaged. Harrison hadn’t brought it up since that night at Gran’s. Was he having second thoughts? If so, I didn’t blame him. But on some level, it kept me from falling any deeper.
Sage had been giving us looks all night. I wasn’t sure if she believed us, but she’d always been more skeptical than the others.
On the way home, Harrison said, with his hand on the top of the wheel, “I thought that went well.”
