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He removed a piece of lint from her brow. “Did you run into anyone from Curtis’ family today? They’re usually a trigger for you.”
“Not his family, but his teacher knows Curtis’ grandmother, and she had a lot to say about who she thought was Theo’s real father.”
“Where’s this school again?”
She studied his face. “Joel, no.”
“It’s just to talk.”
“And you’ll make things worse. They’ll start gossiping about how you’re Theo’s real father.”
“I don’t mind.”
“Joel, promise me you won’t go to the school and cause a scene.”
He smoothed her hair, and she wondered if she was wrong about their last assignment. He’d never touched her this much, so it was possible they’d had a more challenging time than the story his outward appearance told.
“I promise I won’t go to the school and cause a scene,” he said.
“Thank you.” She wiggled Theo’s foot. “And this troublemaker hasn’t had lunch yet.”
“Got it.”
“Don’t try to give him anything from the ocean.”
“I remember. Now, did you eat?”
“No, but there’s a cafeteria in the building.”
“Eat something.”
“I will.”
“Promise me.”
“I promise I’ll eat something, Joel,” she said. “And I promise I’ll be back before six.”
“Take whatever time you need.”
She squeezed his forearm and rose onto her toes. He bent, and she touched a soft, grateful kiss to his life-saving cheek. Before she’d fully removed her lips, she felt him smile, and for whatever reason, it made her smile as well.
“Before six,” she reiterated, grabbing her purse. Then, after peppering Theo’s face with kisses, she headed out.
CHAPTER15
After watching his mother walk through the garage door,and thenlistening to the car pull out of the garage, Theo raised his head and looked around, panic moving in phases over his face.
“Mama?”
Joel looked down. “You can’t be serious, buddy.”
“Where Mama go?”
He peeled Theo from his side and held him at arm’s length, Theo’s feet dangling. “What was that? What’d you just say, Theo?”
“Jo, where Mama go?”
“Buddy, I think that’s a full sentence. That’s a full sentence. I have to text Ayesha.”
