Page 75 of Play Book

“I’ve barely started. Autumn gave me the names of a couple of agencies, and I reached out to both, but they can’t meet with me until tomorrow.”

“So you’re not going on the next trip?”

“I don’t know. I have to find somewhere for Ally to stay. Autumn offered, but she’s already got Henrik’s boys. Plus her job. I feel like I might need to skip it so that I can get her settled in school, interview nannies, etcetera.”

“I’d offer to keep her, but she doesn’t seem to like me at all. And I’m not sure forcing me on her is the best idea this soon.”

“You’re probably right.” I sigh. “Stevie might be willing to do it. She could stay at the condo with Ally while I’m gone, but that’s not her job. She’s got a career and a life.”

“She’s also been going through a lot,” Saylor says. “Keeping busy is good for her. That’s why she’s working at the gallery. I don’t need an employee, but she needs to stay busy.”

“Should I ask her?”

“I think so.”

“All right. I’ll talk to her when she brings Ally home later.”

“It’s almost seven,” she points out. “You probably need to get going soon.”

I haven’t had a curfew since I was seventeen, and that’s what this feels like.

Yeah, the gods have a fucked-up sense of humor.

I get home about five minutes before I hear the knock on the door.

Ally’s name is at the front desk now, so getting into the building isn’t a problem, but I need to make her a key.

“Hey.” I open the door and Ally sweeps past me carrying more bags than I’ve ever seen at one time.

And Stevie has more.

“Holy crap…” I breathe out in a huff. “Did you leave anything for anyone else?”

Stevie grins. “A little. But I promise, she needed all this stuff.” She gives me a look that tells me not to make a big deal, so I don’t, even though I can’t imagine what they bought.

“The bedding—” Stevie’s carrying a large plastic-covered bag that looks like a comforter or something. “—is a gift from me. She said there’s a queen size bed in her room. Is that right? Because we can exchange it if not.”

“You didn’t have to do that,” I say, taking it from her. “But thank you. And yes, it’s a queen.”

“A young girl needs to feel comfy in her room,” she responds. “And we both fell in love with this.”

The colors I see peeking out are in the pink and purple family, which is certainly a departure from the brown, beige, and red that’s in there now.

“Can I paint the walls, Uncle Canyon?” Ally yells out from her room.

“I wasn’t sure if the condo is yours or if you’re renting,” Stevie explains quietly.

“Yes, you can paint!” I yell back. Luckily, my lease agreement allows it.

“She was so excited,” Stevie says softly. “And honestly, I looked at her wardrobe before we left. She can’t wear that stuff. Some of it is several sizes too small. If we spent too much, I’m happy to cover some of it. I just?—”

“No.” I shake my head. “I’ll pay you back. Just give me the receipts and I’ll transfer you the money. It’s been awkward, you know? I feel weird going into her room and sifting through her panties or whatever. And obviously, we’re still getting comfortable together, so she’s not feeling like she can just come to me and say, hey, I need bras!”

“Well, she has plenty of bras, underwear, socks, and pajamas now. She also has new jeans, a couple of sweaters, a couple of pairs of leggings, and some T-shirts.”

“The backpack?” I ask hopefully.

She nods. “The backpack, a pair of black flats that she can wear to school, and a pair of sneakers too. The pair she had—the bottoms were almost worn through. But she’ll need a lot of other things. Also.” She pauses. “She hasn’t gotten her period yet, but she’s eleven, so that could happen any day now. I bought her some pads and stuff to put in the bathroom, just in case. And I told her to keep some in her backpack, so she’s prepared if it happens while she’s at school.”

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