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“I’ve missed you,” she says softly, reaching across the table and resting her hand over mine. I pull back, folding my arms over my chest. She swallows, her eyes darting away for a moment before meeting mine again. “And the girls, of course. Where are they?”
“Maddie has ballet, and Morgan is spending the afternoon with her uncle.”
“Ah, so Benji was allowed to stay in their lives, but I wasn’t?” Her tone is clipped, and her chin quivers. It feels like a bullet to my heart, but I keep my expression schooled. “Why did you cut us out of their lives? Laura would’ve wanted them to grow up with grandparents and an aunt.”
I scoff and shake my head. “Laura wanted them to grow up away from her family. Why do you think we moved all the way out here after Maddie was born?”
“Why would she let me stay with you for two years if she didn’t want me in her daughter’s lives?” she asks in a calm, low voice. Leslie has always been a slave to her emotions, and I’m impressed at the control she’s exerting. Her hands tremble, her jaw tightening as she bites her tongue. “I helped take care of them, changed their diapers. Are you telling me Laura told you to remove me from your life?”
“Laura wanted a better life for our girls than she had.”
“Laura wanted a better life for me too,” she mutters, her shoulders sagging. “Look, I didn’t come here to argue with you.”
“Then why are you here?”
“I told you,” she says, letting her eyes drift around the room. “I wanted to see you.”
“Leslie…” I sigh, running a hand over my face. “I just need some time.”
“It’s been two years, Alex.”
“I know how long it’s been, Les.”
“I know, Alex.” She breathes out a sad laugh, and I watch her stand and pull on her coat. “I’m in town for a few more days. Can we grab some dinner tomorrow?”
I nod reluctantly, already trying to think of an excuse to get out of it.
“Can you bring the girls this time?” she asks, flipping her hair out of her coat collar. “I would love to see them.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
Chapter Fifteen
Jana
I pull my coat on and wave goodbye to Quinn before hurrying outside. With Mrs. F still out of town, Quinn has become overbearing, and if I don’t hurry, she’ll make me stay and finish cleaning out the giant mixers. Hadlee stands huddled outside, bundled up in black wool leggings, a black puffer coat, and a cream-colored beanie. The little poof on the top wobbles as she jumps in place, trying to stay warm.
“What are you doing outside?” I ask, looking up and down the street. “Where’s the car?”
“It broke down and had to be towed,” she groans, pulling me to her side. She’s shivering, her shoulder knocking mine as we start our trek down the road. “But I saw Alex’s truck in front of Sandy’s, so I figured we can beg a ride off him.”
My cheeks heat at the mention of Alex, the memory of his kiss ingrained into my mind.
“What’s this?” Hadlee teases, nudging my side. “Are you blushing?”
“No!” I say on a laugh, my cheeks flushing even hotter. “It’s just cold out.”
“You can say that again,” she mutters. “But really, did something happen while I was gone last night?”
“Alex kissed me.” Before I can finish my sentence, Hadlee pulls me to a stop with a squeal.
“Hewhat?”
“Hadlee!” I hiss, pulling her to the side. She giggles like a schoolgirl as an old couple glares in disgust. “Must you always draw so much attention?”
“Alexkissedyou?”
“That’s what I said,” I say, glancing around. Sandy’s is across the street, and I can see Alex’s truck parked out front. The thought of seeing him sends my heart into overdrive and my stomach into knots. “I told him that I like him.”
