AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“That’s right, but we share, don’t we?” Myles asks. “Even on birthdays.”
“Mine,” Charlie says again. And I’m reminded of last night. Of Eli calling me his.
My heart does a little clenching thing.
I liked it. And it also scared the hell out of me. How can I go back to New York knowing what it’s like to be Eli Salinger’s girl?
I can’t do long-distance. He’ll break my heart.
“Are you okay?” Sophie asks.
“Oh, I’m fine.” I smile. “Actually, Eli brought Charlie a gift. Do you think it’ll help if he gives it to him?”
As though he hears me say his name, Eli walks into the kitchen. Ava hugs him tightly then whispers something in his ear. He looks over at me and smiles.
And my legs go a little weak.
Somebody tugs on my hand and I look down to see Eli’s little sister looking up at me. “Hi,” I say, scooting down.
She leans forward and whispers in my ear. “Charlie don’t like me.”
“Oh I’m sure he does, sweetie,” I tell her. “He’s just a little sad.”
“I stole his gifts.”
“I know.” I nod. “But you gave it back, right?”
She nods, looking so serious. “Not mine,” she whispers.
I look around for her mom, who I think I met in the hallway, but she isn’t here. Nor is Eli’s dad, who looks ridiculously young and handsome considering he has very grown children. Sophie is busy talking to Charlie and Ava is chatting with Eli.
So I lift Francie up and smile. She touches my face. “You pretty.”
“So are you.”
“Charlie says me naughty.”
My throat tightens. “He doesn’t mean it. He’s just unhappy.”
“He’s naughty too,” she says, her brows knitting.
I begin to laugh then try to hide it. This is way above my pay grade. Disputes between companies I can do, but between toddlers?
I’d need to call in the UN.
Luckily, Eli joins us and Francie immediately reaches for him. He hitches her onto his hip, looking so at home holding her tiny body it makes me want to do things to him.
What is it with men holding kids? I’m a feminist, I really am, yet I’m melting at the sight of him holding his sister. Like full blown ovary-exploding heat going on inside me.
“Here you go,” Sophie says, handing me a glass of wine. “Sometimes alcohol is necessary to put up with the Salingers.”
I take it gratefully.
“You’re a Salinger now,” Eli points out to her, looking amused.
“I’m a West-Salinger,” she says. “It’s different.”
“She and Liam hyphenated their names,” Eli says.
