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“Yep, that’s me,” I answered the girls who had all started toying with the jams and Splenda packets in the little carousel at the edge of the table.
“We were supposed to be going to Uncle Cole’s house, but our dad started talking on the phone with someone important,” the youngest said while getting to her knees to reach for my silverware. She slid it toward her while giving me a sly smile, almost like she was daring me to tell her no.
I covered the bundle with my hand and moved it away from my side so she could have it free and clear.
“Remind me of your names again.” I said curiously, starting with the girl in the black beanie on the end.
“I’m Seraphina, but I like to be called Seraph…I’m seven.” Her face was less round, and I couldn’t see her hair at all under her hat.
“I’m Mila, and I’m five!” the youngest interrupted, completely oblivious to taking turns or how loud she was being.
The oldest gave her younger sister a scathing look and straightened her shoulders. “I’m Maddy, I’m ten.”
“Well, it’s nice to meet you guys again. I’m Haley.”
“And how old are you, Haley?” Mila asked, propping her hand under her jaw.
Biting back a laugh, I brought my hands together, all business, and said, “I’m twenty years old.”
Right as I finished, a man I recognized approached the table. Ah, here was their dad. Leo, or Logan. Something like that.
“Hey…” His eyes bounced around to his daughters’ faces then back to mine. A dark brow lifted as if he wasn’t sure why I was talking to his kids. He had the air of a man who was wary, protective and dangerous if he needed to be, which was only driven home by his tall stature and lean muscle. Dark hair that looked overdue for a haircut brushed against his brow, and matching thick lashes framed a pair of unusually gray eyes. They were the one thing I did remember about this man, because they reminded me of liquid mercury.
I tried to give a reassuring smile.
“They just sat down. Sorry if I overstepped by letting them.”
His lips quirked in the corners, lifting the tiniest bit, but his eyes stayed glacier like he was waiting for me to move away from his little family. Except I was here first, so…
I stared at him, raising a brow of my own in challenge, until he finally broke.
“No, it’s fine. Millie usually takes them in the back when I come in or if I have to take a phone call.”
Their dad’s eyes assessed me slowly, moving from my hair down my temple to my eyes, then my lips and all the way down to my folded hands.
I felt squirmy as he inspected me, so I word vomited. “We met the other night at my brother’s house. I don’t know if you remember? It’s okay if you don’t. My memory is horrible when it comes to remembering people’s names. Numbers, I have down…but names? Not so much.” I let out a nervous laugh. Why was I rambling?
Because he’s watching you like a wolf watches his prey.
“Haley.” His deep voice was an unexpected mixture of tenderness and violence. His hand was soft when he offered it to me. “Liam Croft…”
“Now tell her how old you are, that’s how it goes,” Mila sassed, sitting up on her knees again.
My face flushed for some reason. I didn’t want him to think I was trying to coax his kids into conversations about their ages.
Liam smiled at his daughter and sassed right back. “Thirty-two, Nancy Drew.”
“Who’s Nancy Drew? My name in MILA.” Liam’s youngest pronounced her name slow and loud like her dad couldn’t hear her.
I laughed, but Liam just gave them a smirk that made his eyes crinkle.
“Girls, we were only stopping in to get out of the cold and so I could take that call. Let’s get going.”
“I’m actually on my way out, too.” I slid out of the booth and left a ten on the table, as Liam’s girls all exited the row.
“You can walk with us. That way you feel safe,” Mila instructed, pushing through the diner’s glass door first.
I shoved my hands into my pockets as a gust of wind blew down Main Street. The sun was shining, and most of the snow had melted, but damn, with that wind, it didn’t seem to make any difference.
