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“I still would have wanted to know.” Putting her arm around Ada’s shoulders, Maggie continued. “You have every right to be upset at him, but I do think Arlo is a decent guy who made a mistake. Maybe a little bit of a ladies man, but Chase trusts him.”
Maggie and Chase had recently tied the knot, so Maggie was immersed in newlywed bliss. But, she had a point. Chase seemed to be a good judge of character. After all, he chose to marry Maggie—the best person she knew.
“I’ve never seen you so upset about a guy before anyway. Normally you just buy a new outfit and move on.”
“You’re right. I don’t know why it’s bothering me so much. But, itisawkward to now have Arlo staying here… with his nine-year-old niece… and being forced to spend time with him for the holidays.”
“I know.” Maggie pulled her legs close and wrapped her arms around them. “Could you try to give him a fresh start? Pretend this is the first time you’ve ever met him. Like it’s the beginning of a Hallmark movie and a cute, new stranger just arrived.”
Shaking her head, Ada let a smirk slip. “I’m officially banning you from watching the Hallmark channel. You’ve seen too many of those sappy love stories.”
“Maybe.” Maggie shrugged. “But, I’d rather focus on the happy moments in life rather than dwell on the bad. Besides, I can tell Arlo’s niece, Brooklyn, really likes you. I’m sure it’s hard being away from her parents for the holidays. Do it for the kid, Ada… Please?” Maggie flashed puppy dog eyes in her direction.
Ada tried to massage out the tension in her forehead. “Alright, geez. Guilt trip me a little more.”
“Thank you, thank you, thank you! I know it’s been a bit of a rocky start, but I think we’re gonna have a great time this week.”
Sighing, Ada replied, “I hope you’re right.”
Ada returned to find Brooklyn taking selfies while flashing different facial expressions.
“Hey, you’re back! Let’s go show Uncle Arlo how amazing I look!”
Ada couldn’t help but smile. She loved Brooklyn’s confidence and enthusiasm.If only girls could hold on to their self-assuredness all the way through adolescence.
Brooklyn skipped past her out the door. Looking back she said, “C’mon slowpoke!”
Ada hesitated, but managed to rally her inner maturity. “Coming!”
As they entered the hallway, it was Brooklyn who held up a finger signaling “shh.”
Ada gave her a quizzical look.
Leaning her ear toward the kitchen, Brooklyn strained to listen in on the conversation.Hopefully she isn’t imitating my earlier eavesdropping, I thought I had been subtle. Before Ada could overthink it, she began picking up on the conversation in the kitchen…
“Dude, everything good? Who called?” Chase asked.
“Just a … job offer.” Arlo sighed.
“That sounds like a good thing, right?” Maggie responded.
After a moment, Arlo finally spoke. “A client wants me to DJ their New Year’s Eve party.”
“Sounds amazing! What’s the problem?” Maggie raised her eyebrows.
“The party is in Brazil.”
“Oh…” Maggie resigned.
“What are you gonna do?” Chase asked.
“I turned it down. I can’t take Brooklyn to Brazil.”
“Yes you can!” Brooklyn stormed into the room like a tsunami.
Arlo turned, clearly surprised by her presence. “Hey, I thought you were getting your nails done.”
“And I thought I got to choose what we do during Uncle Arlo and Brooklyn hang out time.”
