Page 51 of The Forever Play

Zoey hiccups against Zander’s shoulder, and I swallow, not even sure what I’m supposed to do right now. All I seem capable of is gazing up at my daughter being comforted by her father and wishing a thousand times over that things could have gone differently.

“Well.” Wily claps his hands together. “I say after a trauma like this, we probably all need ourselves some ice cream.”

Zoey’s tears dry up instantly, her head shooting off Zander’s shoulder so she can look at his friend with a hopeful smile. “Ice ceem?”

I glare up at him, and he gives me an awkward frown. “Uh… yeah, I figure ice cream always makes everything better, right?”

“Me ice ceem?” Zoey points to herself, and he grins at her while the look of pure adoration on Zander’s face nearly cripples me on the spot.

He’s falling in love with my baby.

His daughter.

The blond man shoots me an awkward look, obviously trying to suss me out. He can tell I’m annoyed with him but probably doesn’t realize why. He hasn’t thought through the fact that Zoey did something wrong, and now we’re rewarding her with ice cream. And he’s most definitely not considering the fact that after said ice cream, I have to somehow get her down for a nap.

“Um…” He scratches the back of his head. “Yeah, of course. Ice cream for you. If your… mommy says it’s okay.” He gives me a hopeful smile. “My treat.”

Zoey swivels in Zander’s arms to look right at me. “Mommy ice ceem? Zoey ice ceem.” She starts tappingher chest as she tries to sell me on the awesomeness of this plan.

I can’t help another eye roll as my shoulders slump in defeat. “Great, and now I’ll be the Wicked Witch of the West if I say no.”

Zander’s friend winces and mouths, “Sorry,” while I let out a helpless laugh.

“Fine. Whatever. Let’s go get ice cream.”

“Ice ceem!” Zoey shouts, launching herself at this man she hasn’t even been introduced to. He grabs her with a laugh and starts walking out of the store.

I gape after them while Zander leans down and whispers in my ear, “Nothing to worry about. That’s Wily. Solid-gold dude. He won’t let anything happen to our girl.” I spin to blink up at him, and he gives me an awkward smile. “Sorry. Your… your girl. Zoey is, um… she’s safe.”

My insides spasm, my heart jackknifing as I watch him try to correct his faux pas and a steaming pile of guilt nestles on my shoulders. She is his girl… or she would have been all along if only I’d let him.

But that day at the dorm… That?—

I snap my eyes closed and shake my head.

“Here, why don’t you let me…” Zander takes the basket from my hand. “I’ll get it. You go wait outside with Zoey and Wily.”

With a wordless nod, I head for the door, struggling to think straight as I squint up at the sun and hunt for my shades. Zoey is on the ground, bouncing around beside Wily. The giant of a man is crouched on the sidewalk and listing ice cream flavors while she shouts, “Yes!” or “Bluch!” to the different selections.

He starts getting creative. “How about gravy and mashed potato ice cream?”

“Ew!” She sticks out her tongue. “No. No tayto ice ceem.”

“No?” He rubs his chin. “Okay, let me think of something else. How about blueberry?”

“Yes! Zoey booberry.”

“Good choice, my friend.” He holds out his hand, and she slaps it with a giggle.

And there goes my heart again.

Seriously? I’m such a wreck today.

The grocery store door opens, and I turn to find Zander striding out of there with a paper bag.

He hands it to me with a smile. “There you go.”

“Thanks,” I murmur, about to get out my wallet and pay him back when I notice a box of Nerds at the top of the bag.

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