Page 18 of Sexting the Silverfox

“I think I already like her.”

“How so?”

Lily thinks about it for a moment, then straightens her yellow winter jacket and looks up at the building. “She lives in a nice place. And she makes you smile a lot.”

I grow more and more intrigued. “What makes you think that I smile a lot because of her?” If only I could tap right into her cute little brain, perhaps I’d understand my daughter better.

“That’s what Rita says,” Lily replies. “It’s why you’re on the phone a lot. You didn’t do that before.”

It hits me all of a sudden how observant Lily can be, even when I’m not aware of any changes in my pattern. But she noticed, and she asked her nanny about it. She didn’t ask me. Should I feel bad about that? Why didn’t she feel she could talk to me about this?

“We talk a lot,” I tell Lily. “I think you’ll like her. She teaches kindergarten.”

Lily gasps and gives me a troubled look as we go into the building. “Wait, is it Miss Pemberly?”

“Miss Pemberly?” I reply, momentarily confused, until I remember Miss Pemberly is Lily’s kindergarten teacher. “Oh, no, honey, no. Audrey works at another school.”

“What’s wrong with Miss Pemberly?” Lily asks, frowning slightly.

My Lord, she cracks me up. “Nothing is wrong with Miss Pemberly. Besides, I’m pretty sure she’s spoken for. I thought I saw a ring on her finger.”

“Yeah, but you’re way better,” Lily decides. “Her boyfriend brings her lunch every day, but you could buy her the restaurant!”

I can’t help but laugh.

My humor softens as I look up and see Audrey coming down the stairs. I’m about to smile and wave and introduce my daughter when I notice that Audrey appears to be in a terrible mood. She doesn’t even see me until she reaches the bottom of the stairs.

“Oh, Jason!” she gasps, freezing for a moment.

“Hi, Audrey,” I say, measuring her reaction carefully. “Is everything all right?”

She stares at me, then at Lily, and as soon as their eyes meet, Audrey’s demeanor brightens up. “You must be Lily. It is such a pleasure to meet you,” she says. “I’m Audrey.”

“Hi, Audrey,” my daughter replies and firmly shakes her hand, measuring Audrey from head to toe like a human scanner. “You’re my dad’s girlfriend, right?”

“Wow,” Audrey laughs nervously, then looks at me. “Um, what?”

“We were just in the neighborhood,” I say. “I wanted to show Lily around. Granted, I also hoped we’d run into you so you two could meet. I figured it was about time.”

Why is my heart beating so fast? Lily’s opinion about Audrey matters, but I find that Audrey’s opinion of what’s going on between us matters just as much. I want her to want more out of this because I want more out of this.

It’s been a while since I’ve felt this way about someone. It’s scary as hell. I’d rather re-cross an Afghani minefield than endure the awkwardness of this moment.

“That’s sweet,” Audrey says, giving Lily another smile. “What do you think of The Emerald?”

“I like it. It’s pretty,” my daughter replies. “You’re pretty, too.”

“Oh, thank you,” Audrey says and laughs lightly.

But I can see the shadows in her cool blue eyes. The concern. The unspoken worries that swirl through her mind. She’s working overtime to make herself seem calm and breezy, ever the friendly neighborhood girl. Something is definitely going on with her, and I intend to get to the bottom of it one way or another.

“Audrey, what’s happening?” I ask, my voice low.

“What do you mean?” she asks, trying to play her part for a little longer.

“Talk to me. I’m here,” I say. “Whatever it is that’s bothering you, you can tell me.”

She shakes her head slowly. “I’m okay, I promise. Just tired. I need to head out, but I’ll see you another time.”

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