Page 86 of Strictly the Worst

“Well that’s sad. I was hoping for more from you,” Zoe says to him.

He frowns. “Like what?”

“I thought we could gang up on Mom. Tease her. Annoy her.”

He shrugs. “I can do that.”

“No you can’t.” I purse my lips. “I thought you were on my side.”

“I’m easy,” he tells me, smiling. “I can be a double agent if needed.”

“See, today’s gonna be fun.” Zoe gives him a grin.

“Go get dressed,” I tell her again. This time I add in a growl.

She saunters back to her room whistling and I look at Linc.

“Drink your coffee,” he says soothingly. “Everything’s going to be okay.”

I take a long mouthful, swallowing it down.

“You still look grumpy,” he observes. “Here, take this.” He pulls a croissant out of the bag and tears a piece off, sliding it between my lips. I take it into my mouth, and let out a groan. I’m hungrier than I thought.

“Mom?” Zoe shouts out from her bedroom. My head is already throbbing and it’s hardly nine o’clock.

“Yes?”

“I don’t have to shower, do I? Since I’ll be doing manual work.”

Ideally she’d shower before and after, but I’ve learned to pick my battles. “No, that’s fine.”

Linc smirks like he’s enjoying himself listening to the two of us.

I take another sip of coffee. This is the strangest Saturday morning I’ve had in a while. I’m just recovering my Zen when Zoe calls out again.

“Hey Mom?”

“Does she always shout like that?” Linc asks. He looks impressed.

I shrug. “Yes honey?”

“Maisie and Alice are going to the movies this afternoon. Can I go?”

I wince at the volume of her shout. “No. The floor is gonna take all day.”

“But they’re going to see the latest Anime,” she hollers. “We always see them together.”

“You’re breaking her heart,” Linc murmurs.

“You’re not helping,” I tell him. Then I take a deep breath. “Can you come out here to talk so we can stop shouting, please?”

There’s a huff and she reappears, still in her pajamas, still clutching her mug. “Please can I go?” she asks. “Linc is here. It won’t take as long as we thought it would.”

I let out a long breath. “Okay. But we have to work super hard this morning.”

“Thank you!” She jumps up, her makeshift-mocha spilling over the rim of her mug. “I’m gonna make that floor shine before I go.”

She runs back into her room and Linc runs his palm down my back. “Interesting,” he murmurs.

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