Page 62 of The Forever Play

Skimming my finger around the lip of my coffee mug, I try to keep my tone casual. “Yeah, I was thinking of taking her as well. I’m happy to do it.”

“I can come with.” He leans against the counter, grinning at me.

I take in his hopeful smile and force out a laugh. “Cool. I might actually text one of the moms from the playgroup I went to as well. Her son, Dayton, got along great with Zoey. Maybe they can meet us there.”

“Oh, uh… sure.” Russell doesn’t love that. I can tell by the way he pulls back from me and gets busy cleaning up the kitchen. “Hanging out with a bunch of moms. Sounds awesome.”

I laugh at his sarcastic quip. “Don’t feel like you have to come. I’m happy to take Zoey out for a playdate, and then we can hang later. Maybe after her nap we could build the train set. She always loves playing trains with you.”

“Yeah, maybe that’s better.” He nods, looking disappointed but not saying so.

Rising from my seat, I take my plate over to him. “Thanks.” His sudsy hand brushes against mine, and he gazes down at me with an intensity that’s kind of unnerving.

He almost looks like he wants to kiss me or something, so I quickly dart out of the kitchen with excuses of getting ready.

He, of course, helps with Zoey, and the stroller is soon fully loaded on the sidewalk.

“Wave to Uncle Rusty,” I tell Zoey, and she glances up at the door, grinning and blowing kisses.

“Goodbye, sweet girl. I love you,” he calls after us.

“Laloo!” she shouts back.

I push the stroller a little faster, pulling out my phone and quickly texting Fiona.

She gets back to me within a minute, apologizing that they’re already busy with a family function today and can’t meet up, but she’d love to another time.

I’m not actually that disappointed, although I kind of am for Zoey. She probably would have loved to play with Dayton.

With a little sigh, the thought that maybe I should call Russell and let him know bounces through my brain, but I’m kind of needing a little space from him right now.

Why?

Because he’s getting too close.

Because I can’t stop thinking about Zander, and being around Russell makes me feel like that’s a huge mistake.

Shit. I don’t know what to do.

Zander was so sweet with Zoey on Wednesday. He deserves to see her again, doesn’t he?

Plus, the Cougars lost yesterday, so he’s probably feeling a little salty, and Zoey might cheer him up.

Are you really doing this?

My stomach hitches as I reach for the piece of paper in my back pocket… and quickly realize I’m not wearing the right pair of pants.

“Shit,” I mumble under my breath.

“Pak, Mommy?”

“Yeah, I thought we could go to the park. I was hoping I could arrange for your little friend Dayton to join us, but he’s busy.”

“Aw.” Zoey pouts, holding Tony the Pony against her chest. She’s been going for that stuffed animal ever since Wily called her a cowgirl. “Wanna pay.”

“I know. But I’ll be there to play with you.”

“Yeah.” She sounds so disappointed it’s hard not to be offended.

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