Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 130307 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 652(@200wpm)___ 521(@250wpm)___ 434(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 130307 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 652(@200wpm)___ 521(@250wpm)___ 434(@300wpm)
I was thankful she didn’t ask whatever questions I knew she wanted to in that moment.
“Actually, I’m glad you’re both still here,” I said, nerves firing to life as I decided to go through with the harebrained idea I’d had on the way down the stairs. “I need your help.”
Arushi paused where she was lifting her glass to her lips, her wide eyes such a dark brown they nearly blended in with her pupils as she blinked at me.
“Did you just ask for help?” She sat her glass down and dug her phone out of her pocket. “Sorry, I need to record the date and time.”
I leveled her with a look.
“Ava just asked about Jenny.”
That made both her and Chloe pause, the two of them exchanging a glance before Chloe asked, “What did she say?”
“She wanted to know if Jenny liked to read.”
Chef’s eyes got a little misty when she smiled, covering her heart with one hand. “Oh, that sweet, sweet child.”
“After you and I talked, I told Ava about how much Jenny loved donuts,” I said to Chloe. I didn’t miss how Arushi narrowed her eyes when I referenced Chloe and me talking. “And I think now she’s curious. She’s thinking about all the things I’ve been too much of a coward to say.”
“You’re not a coward,” Chef staid instantly. “You were a grieving husband and a new father trying to figure it out.”
Those words hung heavy on my shoulders for a long moment. All I could do was nod.
“Well, I’ve been thinking more about what you said,” I finally croaked, clearing my throat before I found Chloe’s gaze. “About introducing Ava to Jenny one thing at a time.”
“Oh?” Chef tapped the table between us. “What’s this plan? I want in.”
“I mentioned that maybe we could slowly tell her more about Jenny,” Chloe said. “You know, share her favorite song or watch her favorite movie. Do the things she loved to do.”
“This is a wonderful plan,” Chef said gleefully, her eyes bright and wide when she flashed them back to me. “What do you have in mind?”
“Well, that’s why I wanted to talk to you both. Chloe, is there any chance in hell you could get off work next Monday?”
Chloe made a face like she wasn’t sure. “I mean, I haven’t taken vacation since I started working at this school. So, technically, yes. I have the time. My only concern is that it’s only a little over a week away. But I can certainly make the necessary calls. As long as there is a sub available, I don’t see why not.”
“You haven’t taken a vacation?” Chef repeated, brows inching together. “Like… ever?”
“I love my job,” Chloe said with a shrug. “And I get the summer off. Besides, where am I going to go? What am I going to do?” She waved a hand toward the pool house. “Play games with my cats? Answer the many male suitors who come to call?”
Arushi smirked. “I bet there would be many male suitors, if you ever went out to meet them. That’s what we need,” she added with a snap of her fingers. “A girls’ night out. I’ll bet Maven and Livia would jump at the chance. Maybe next time Grace is in town—”
“What about you, Chef Patel?” I interrupted, cracking my neck and hoping it came off just as me being sore and stiff from last night’s game, and not that I was two seconds away from hauling Chloe up over my shoulder caveman style and taking her to my room so I could lock her up and ensure no man ever looked at her again.
Chef’s smirk tilted my way now, an amused glint in her eyes.
Damn her.
“I work for you,” she pointed out sarcastically. Then, she pretended to be concerned, her bottom lip protruding. “Sore neck?”
“I’m fine,” I grumbled, and I looked away from her before she could chuckle into her wine glass.
“Why?” Chloe asked. “What’s going on next Monday?”
“I’ll have Sunday off, and we’ll have a later, lighter practice that Monday. The schedule has been crazy lately, and we’re closing in on the end of the season over the next couple of months. Coach has been pretty insistent that we take time away from the rink when we can.”
The women in front of me nodded.
“So, I was thinking…” I grimaced, grabbing the back of my neck and wondering if I even wanted to say these words. Because once they were out, there’d be no turning back.
“What?” Chef asked impatiently, snapping her fingers. “Come on, spit it out, I don’t have all night. My brothers are having a Carrom tournament, and I have ten minutes before I need to leave or I’ll lose my chance to take all their money again.”
“Oh, what’s Carrom?” Chloe asked excitedly.
“It’s a tabletop game, kind of like finger billiards — but with small disks. I’ll explain another time when Mr. Turkey isn’t edging us with the possibility of pulling his daughter out of school for a day of hooky for some mysterious reason.”