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“Yes, they do.” Tammy gave me a look, and I glanced between her and Aiden. “Oh! I’m so sorry to you both. I totally forgotabout you picking up Hadley, Aiden. Tammy was going to pick her up and take her and Jennifer out for ice cream.”
“Hey, Aiden. How’s it going?” Tammy asked, skipping over and giving him a kiss on the cheek. A feeling of jealousy raced through my body, but I quickly pushed it away. Tammy was his longtime friend, after all. And married to his best friend.
After Aiden and I worked out a few snags, things had been going well. Every morning I made them breakfast and packed their lunches, and every night, I got their dinner ready. I’d talked Aiden into letting Alice go back to his parents’ place, where she really preferred to be, since I was there during the day and could clean. He’d wanted to give me more money, but I wouldn’t let him. It was silly for him to pay extra, especially when I enjoyed doing it and I needed something to fill my time during the day.
“Going well. Dalton told me you guys are planning a trip to Disney World for Christmas.”
I smiled. “Oh, how fun! Are you excited?” I asked.
Tammy shrugged. “We’ve been three times already, so honestly, it’s more fun for Jen and Dalton Junior than it is for us.”
“You’ve been to Disney World three times?”
With a laugh, Tammy replied, “I know, crazy, huh? Do you like it?”
I shook my head. “I’ve never been.”
Aiden turned to look at me as Tammy gasped and said, “You’veneverbeen to Disney?”
“Nope,” I replied, popping my P.
“Why not?” Aiden asked.
The urge to change the subject hit me. “Just never had the chance to go. Tammy, were you still wanting to take Hadley for ice cream? I forgot it was Friday when I agreed.”
Tammy faced Aiden. “Oh yeah. I was going to see if she could spend the night. Jennifer has been begging for a sleepover.”
“Sure, if she wants to, I don’t mind,” Aiden said, then looked at me. “That gives you the whole weekend off, Emma. You can make plans.”
I chewed on my lip and forced out a lighthearted chuckle. “Great. Maybe I’ll drive into Denver.”
Aiden shoved his hands into his pocket. “Okay, well, I guess I’ll head on over to Mom and Pop’s and see if they need me to work on anything, unless you need help here.”
Tammy waved him off. “No, we’re done for the day. I think tomorrow is going to be so much fun for the kids.”
All of a sudden, I felt like an outsider. The need to run overwhelmed me. “Well, if we’re done, I’ll just be heading home.”
With a quick hug, Tammy said, “Go out, Emma. Have some fun.”
I nodded when we drew away from one another. She pointed to me and said, “I mean it. Get you some strange. You’re too uptight.”
My mouth dropped open, and Aiden started to laugh. Tammy covered her mouth, “Did I say that too loudly?”
“Yes. You did,” I muttered as I reached for my purse and headed toward Hadley’s classroom. Aiden caught up and walked next to me.
“I’ll just say hi to Hadley and wish her a fun time this weekend,” I said.
“She really has grown to love you, Emma. You’ve been good for her. I see a difference in just the couple weeks you’ve been with us.”
I shrugged off his comment. “I think I won her over with my mad braiding skills.”
He laughed, and before we knew it, kids were spilling out everywhere. Hadley saw me and Aiden at the same time andcame running over. Naturally, she went to her father first and jumped into his arms.
“Daddy, I had the bestest day ever!”
Aiden laughed. “Oh yeah? What made it so special?”
“Next week I get to be the student of the week!”
