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“That’s a good idea,” Will said. “Especially considering we will have people from the community there.”
They spent the rest of the meal tossing out ideas, some sensible, some a bit ridiculous. Layla and Peyton each grabbed a cookie from the container Misha had brought, then they went to watch a movie, leaving the adults at the dining room table enjoying cups of coffee.
“Do you think we have enough ideas for the committee, Janessa?” Will asked as he broke off a piece of the cookie he’d taken.
“I think so,” Janessa said. “I’m sure that once we share them, other committee members will have ideas as well. I don’t think that just because we were given this responsibility, no one else can give suggestions. Same probably applies for the stuff that was assigned to other committee members.”
Janessa felt like progress had been made, at least as far as their committee assignment was concerned. The evening hadn’t done much for her relationship with Jay, but having a focus for the time they were together had at least meant that the tension between them hadn’t been as apparent.
Ciara began to fuss, so Jay and Misha decided to leave. Plus, Misha still had to work at the clinic the next day for the free clinic hours.
“Thanks for the pizza,” Charli said as she left the kitchen to get Peyton.
“You’re welcome.” Jay took Ciara from Misha so she could pack up the baby’s things. Although Ciara wasn’t so much a baby anymore. She’d had her first birthday over a month ago, and she was walking like a pro.
“Where are Gareth and Aria?” Jay asked, as they waited for Peyton to show up.
“Out on a date,” Janessa said. “I think they were going to Coeur d’Alene for dinner and a movie.”
Peyton had a frown on his face when he came into the kitchen. “Do we have to go?”
“Yep.”
Janessa waited for Jay to give a reason, but then realized that since the reason for leaving likely had to do with Misha and Ciara, it was better if Jay didn’t state that. The last thing they needed was for Peyton to associate them with his being upset over having to leave earlier than he wanted to.
“You and Layla will see each other again this weekend,” Charli said. “But Layla will be going to bed in a little while, anyway.”
Even with that knowledge, Peyton didn’t look any happier to leave. It hadn’t been that long since he’d come to live with Jay, so he was still struggling to adjust to the many changes in his life.
After Jay and Misha had left with the kids, Will said, “I guess I should go as well.”
“You don’t have to rush off,” Charli told him. “But if you are going to go, you need to take the remains of that abomination of a pizza with you.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice,” Will said with a laugh. “Breakfast for tomorrow.”
“You eat pizza for breakfast?” Layla asked.
Will glanced at Charli as if to check if he’d said the wrong thing. “Uh… sometimes?”
“Sometimes we do too!” Layla informed him with a grin. “I don’t like it as much as pancakes or French toast, though.”
“I have to say that I also like pancakes or French toast better than pizza for breakfast,” Will told her. “And bacon. I like that too.”
“Oooh, me too. But Mom won’t let me eat as much as I want. I think that’s cause she wants to eat it.”
Will laughed at that, his face losing the edge of sadness he’d been wearing a lot lately. “Can’t really blame her. Bacon is great.”
Charli chuckled as she stood at the counter, putting the leftover pizza away. All except the pineapple one.
Surprisingly, Will didn’t actually seem to be in a hurry to leave, so Janessa offered him more coffee and another cookie. The container Misha had brought with her had remained with them, as was the norm these days.
“Uh, sure,” Will said, shuffling his feet. “I never turn down the chance for more of Denise’s cookies.”
Charli gestured to a stool at the island counter. “Have a seat.”
Janessa filled a mug for Will, then topped up her coffee as well. She set the container of cookies in front of Will before sitting down on the stool next to him. He glanced at her before lifting his mug to take a sip.
“Layla, sweetie, you need to take a shower before bed.”
