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“Thank you. For today.”
“I should be the one thanking you.” Today had been the best day I’d had in a long, long time. I glanced over my shoulder, not sure if she’d heard me.
Her brows were slightly creased, and my guess was that she hadn’t.
So I dipped my head and said, “You’re welcome.”
Her smile captivated me. It took all my willpower to break free of it and step out into the warm summer night.
Chapter Seventeen
TINA
The first dayof school went surprisingly well for Callie and me. Teddy was chomping at the bit to start Pre-K, but the school district staggered start dates, and he wouldn’t start for another week.
Sarah was still nervous about leaving her daughter with her parents. We’d had several conversations already, and I’d assured her that each day would get easier and reminded her that it would be good for Nora to spend time with other people. It would hopefully mean she wouldn’t have separation anxiety as a toddler. I loved working with Sarah. We were a good team, and she was patient with the kids.
My mom had Teddy this week, so after school, I swung by to pick him up. I’d been coaxed into giving him five more minutes to play twice now. I was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to go home and put on comfy clothes, but Teddy was on his knees in the middle of the room, building a Lego tower with my dad and didn’t want to leave until he was finished. Callie was on the sofa, engrossed in a book. She had recently become obsessed withHarry Potter.
“Thanks, Mom,” I said as she handed me a cup of coffee. She’d offered the minute she realized I wasn’t getting Teddy out of here right away. “He was good today?”
“Of course. He’s always good.”
I bit back a chuckle. I should know better than to ask by now. In her eyes, even if he’d been bad, he was still good. Levi used to tell me that she and I shared that mindset.
My phone chimed where it sat on the counter, and I picked it up.
Kyle: How was the first day of school?
My heart floated in my chest when I read the message. He had texted this morning with a simplehave a great day. And now he was asking how it had gone. The gestures were small but meaningful and thoughtful.
Me: Really good. Callie hasn’t stopped talking about it. My class is awesome, and Sarah is amazing. How was your day?
“Who is making you smile like that?”
“What?” I jolted upright and blinked at my mom.
She nodded to the phone in my hand. “Is it Kyle Williams? He’s the man everyone seems to think is dating my daughter, yet I haven’t been let in on that secret.”
“Everyone, Mom? Really?”
She nodded, pressing her lips together to contain a smile.
I rolled my eyes. “We’re just hanging out. We’ve been on one date. I would hardly consider that dating.” I wasn’t about to tell her we were going out again this weekend.
“If you say so.” She brought her cup to her lips, one brow raised knowingly.
I shook my head and looked back down at my conversation with Kyle.
Kyle: It was ok. Had physical therapy today.
Me: How’s your leg?
When he left Saturday night, he’d been limping noticeably. Not inside, but once he was out front, like he’d been hiding it from me but thought I couldn’t see him once he stepped out of the house.
Kyle: Fine. Sore. Heather says it’s getting stronger.
I racked my brain for any mention of a Heather and came up blank. Not that I wanted to come off jealous, but that was definitely the sensation settling over me. Heather wasnothis physical therapist’s name. I knew that much. So who else would be commenting on the status of his healing?
