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I smiled at Wyatt. “Thank you. The bright orange just screams happy to me, and I already feel better. You did an awesome job not squishing them too.”
He beamed at me, and my heart warmed.
Avery gestured toward the bag. “Look inside!”
I did and took out some ibuprofen and a few sticks of hydration drink mixes.
As I stared at the get-well gifts and tightened my fingers around the lilies, I struggled not to cry. Why had West done all of this? He couldn’t truly be interested in anything with me, could he?
No.He was just a nice guy. Yes, that had to be it.
Avery spoke up again. “You have to mix the packets with water. Me and Wyatt have them sometimes, when it’s really hot outside. But Daddy said it should work for your illness too. Although I hope it’s not too bad. I had strep throat once, and I thought I’d die.”
I took Avery’s hand and squeezed gently. “No, it’s nothing serious. I’ll be better soon, especially after taking what your dad sent me.”
“Good.” Avery leaned over and whispered, “I didn’t know if we could swim today or not, but I wore my bathing suit under my clothes, just in case. I know you’re really busy, but I’m going to do that every day until you have some free time, and you can give me another swimming lesson.”
How this girl’s mother could have ignored her and not loved her fiercely, I had no idea. Because I’d only known Avery briefly, and I already felt like I’d kick the ass of anyone who dared to hurt her.
Not wanting to think about the significance of that thought, I smiled and said, “Let me see how I’m feeling this afternoon. Oh, and did Wyatt bring anything to swim in?”
Wyatt sat with Abby, showing her pictures on his phone. He really did love taking pictures of animals and scenery. I wondered if his dad had thought of getting him an inexpensive digital camera.
Wait, no. These weren’t my kids. I needed to remember that.
Avery replied, “Yeah, he has swim shorts on. I think it’s so unfair that boys can just wear regular-looking clothes for bathing suits. Mine always goes up my butt, and I hate it.”
I bit my lip to keep from laughing. “There are girl ones with shorts these days, or some types that are better at staying in place. I’ll show you later, once I’m dressed and feeling better, and maybe I’ll get you one. Because I know how much it sucks to get a swimsuit wedgie.”
Avery threw her arms around my neck, and I hugged her back, the contact somehow helping my hangover, which wasn’t exactly scientific, but I didn’t care.
Once she pulled away, she said, “Get better, Emmy. I don’t like it when you don’t feel well.”
My throat closed up with emotion. “You have a kind heart, just like your dad.”
“Yep. He pretends to be grumpy, but he’s not, really.” She looked over at her brother. “Come on, Wyatt. Emmy needs to rest so maybe she can take us swimming later.”
The little boy gave me a tentative smile before following his sister out the back door and into the children’s play area I used for my business.
Abby sat across from me. “Hmm, why would West send you a care package?”
“He probably just feels sorry for me after carrying my butt up the stairs.”
Snorting, Abby picked up her coffee and drank the last of it. “Maybe. The wedding expo should be interesting.”
Oh, damn. I’d temporarily forgotten about that.
About us working together, in close quarters, for days in a row.
At least the expo wasn’t for ten days. Between preparing for that and the Summer Star Festival—which was the week after the expo—I had plenty to keep me busy and away from Weston Wolfe.
Not only because it’d be embarrassing to face him after he’d carried me into the house, but I might also go all soft and starry-eyed at him. And if he gave the slightest indication he was interested, like Abby hinted, I might cave and let him kiss me.
And I couldn’t do that. Ever. Because eventually I’d hurt him and his kids, and I’d rather die than do that.
I just had to make sure Wyatt and Avery were always around, and we were never alone.
Yes, that was the safest way to go.
