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"How come Decker wasn't there?" Leo whined as she put him in his car seat.
"He had to work, honey. He said he told you he might not make it."
"But it wasn't very long. I wanted to show him how good I can dance."
"He saw that last night." Her words did nothing to brighten the storm clouds gathering in his eyes.
"Can we go see him?" Leo pressed. "Maybe I can show him my dance now."
"He's at work. We can't disturb him."
"I want to see him. Why won't you let me see him?"
She frowned at how agitated Leo was getting. "Let's talk about this when we get home." As she slid behind the wheel, she heard Leo start crying, and a glance in her rearview mirror confirmed that. She turned back to him. "Leo, what's wrong?"
He cried louder at her question.
She blew out a breath and started the car, her heart breaking apart with each little sob that came from the backseat. When they got home, she tried to offer him lunch, but he said he wasn't hungry and then ran into his room and flung himself on the bed.
She followed him into his bedroom, a little concerned with the level of emotion she was seeing. Normally, Leo didn't get this upset, and she didn't understand it. Or maybe she did. Her little boy was falling in love with Decker. And so was she. Now she felt like crying, too. Because it was going to end so badly.
"Leo," she said gently, rubbing his back. "Tell me what's wrong."
"I told you." Angry tears dripped from his eyes. "No one ever wants to come and see me."
"That's not true. People always come to see you. I came to see you."
"Daddy doesn't. He has to work. And so does Decker." Leo burst into tears again.
"Adults have to work sometimes," she told him. "It's not that they don't want to see you; it's just that they have a job to do."
"I don't like work."
She let out a sigh. "I know. Sometimes I don't like it, either."
"I thought Decker would come because he's your boyfriend."
"Oh, honey. Decker and I are friends, and he likes you very much, but he's not my boyfriend, and he couldn't come today because he had to work. That's all. Everyone loves you, especially me. You know that, right?"
He didn't answer, but his crying eased. The doorbell rang. It was her babysitter. "That's Jessie. Let's dry your eyes and see what games she wants to play today."
Leo didn't follow her to the door, but he did roll over and pick up his horse, which seemed like a good sign.
She let Jessie in, giving her a relieved smile. Jessie was a recent college graduate who was working remotely part time for a company in Denver and babysitting several hours a week.
"Leo is not very happy," she said.
"What's wrong?" Jessie asked. "He's usually in a good mood."
"I think he's overtired, and maybe over-sugared. He had a show at school today and quite a few cupcakes. I have to go to work for a couple of hours, but I'll be home by four. He should be out of his mood soon, but if he isn't, text me, and I'll come back."
"I'm sure we'll be fine," Jessie said. "Don't worry about us."
"Okay." She grabbed her bag and headed out the door. She needed to go to the café, but instead found herself driving to the rental house. When she arrived, Decker was standing by his truck. He was on the phone, but as soon as she got out of her car, he ended the call.
"Hey," he said. "How did the show go? Sorry I couldn't make it."
"I understand. Leo was unhappy about it, though. He cried all the way home."
