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Peyton looked up from his sandwich and nodded. “I like the bread.”
“It’s good, huh? Grandma made it.”
“It’s very good.”
Thankfully, Peyton also liked cheese, so he wasn’t just eating plain bread.
Charli and Will joined them at the table a few minutes later, while Janessa chose to sit with Gareth, Aria, Denise, and their parents.
“Hi, Will,” Peyton said when the man sat down across from him.
“Hi, Will,” Layla chimed in. “You’re late.”
“I am,” he agreed. “But thankfully, I made it in time for the food.”
“What did you bring?”
“Brownies.”
“Oooh. I’m glad you came.”
“Layla,” Charli admonished her daughter with a laugh. “We’d be happy that Will was here, even if he hadn’t brought brownies.”
“But hedidbring them, so that’s even better.”
Jay leaned close to Misha. “You should take notes on how Charli parents Layla. I have a feeling you’ll need them.”
Misha laughed as she bumped her shoulder against his arm. “Are you saying that Ciara’s going to have a similar personality to Layla’s or that she’s going to be an influence on her?”
“I think it’s probably going to be both,” Charli informed her. “I’d try to restrict their contact, but I think it’s too late at this point.”
“Oh, I would never want that,” Misha said. “I think Layla is delightful.”
“I do too,” Charli agreed. “Most of the time. The other times, I just have to shake my head at what comes out of her mouth.”
Lunch passed with more delightful comments from Layla and even some from Peyton. Will laughed a few times, which Jay counted as a win because he hadn’t heard much laughter from Will since Daphne had broken up with him.
“Why don’t you two go for a walk?” Charli suggested. “We’ll keep an eye on Peyton and Ciara.”
Jay looked at Misha. “Want to go for a walk?”
“Are you sure you don’t mind watching Ciara?” Misha asked Charli.
“I don’t mind at all,” Charli assured her.
“Are you okay if I go for a walk with Misha, Peyton?”
Peyton glanced at Misha, then nodded. “Can Will help me fly my kite?”
“That’s up to Will,” Jay said, looking at his friend, who nodded. “Then let’s go.”
“Save me a brownie,” Misha told Will.
“Save me one of Denise’s cookies,” Jay said.
Misha laughed as she got up from the table. “You should know by now that Mom always has a separate stash for you.”
Jay got up as well, and as they walked away from the shelter, Misha slid her hand into his. He loved that she initiated contact between them. It made him feel like she wanted to be with him as much as he wanted to be with her. It hadn’t always felt like that was the case with Casey.
