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Cara laughed. “No, no. We’re actually just put the finishing touches on our blanket fort.”
I imagined Lucy and Cara curled up under the blankets of the fort, pretending they were on a secret expedition.
“But I don’t want you to injure yourself again.” Was there a teasing tone in her voice?
I looked at my left hand, wrapped in fresh gauze. “I promise I’ll be careful. You two relax. I’ve got dinner taken care of.”
I was quiet a moment, tightening my hands around the steering wheel.Just say it, Wesley.“And if you’d like to stay…for dinner that is, well, I’m sure Lucy would love that.”And I would love it, too.
Cara hesitated.
“There’s no pressure. I already took time from your night yesterday and —”
“No, I’d love to.”
Love. Not just like, but love. My heart jumped at the implication.Jesus, get a grip, you pussy.But at least I was doing something right. Or maybe Cara’s motivation really did have everything to do with Lucy. Either way, at least I could look forward to another few hours spent with Cara Smith. I’d take it.
“Perfect. Anything you girls are in the mood for?”
“Let me ask.”
I heard Cara’s voice grow distant as she asked Lucy, “What do you want for dinner, Luce?”
Lucy’s voice came through clear as a bell. “Pizza!”
“Okay, besides pizza.”
Lucy groaned in frustration. That kid would eat pizza every day of the week if I let her.
“Tacos!”
“Mmm…tacos. That sounds good.” Cara moved back to the receiver. “The lady wants tacos.”
I smiled. “You’re in for a treat, then. I make the best tacos on our block. Which isn’t saying much, but it’s saying something.”
Cara giggled. I tried to memorize the sound so I could savor it later. “Well, I look forward to your block famous tacos.”
“Now, I never said they were famous, but —”
“They’ll certainly be famous to me.”
A car honked behind me. I realized I had been idling at a green light. Cara was doing things to my brain that were making it nearly impossible for me to function normally.
“Be home in a bit.”
“Looking forward to it.”
§
When I arrived home, I was greeted by peals of laughter from the living room. I poked my head in, arms full of groceries and smiled at the sight. Cara and Lucy had somehow gotten tangled in the blankets. Their fort had unraveled to just a pile on the living room floor. And while I could imagine Lucy getting upset over her creation falling apart, there was no sign of disappointment.
“Oh gosh, hi —” Cara had to break for laughter. “Hi, Wesley!”
“What happened to you two?”
“Cara got tangled in a blanket and it all came tumbling down!” Lucy squealed, hiccups of laughter under each word.
“I’m sorry I missed out on all the fun.”
