Page 16 of Holly Ever After

“Hey, girlie. Want to come to the ice rink?”

I kneel to her level, watching her eyes light up, her grip tightening around her colorful Lego tower. “Uncle Sean?”

Damn, this girl loves Sean.

I’m still smarting from the whole mouse fiasco. Sean and I, well, we’re not on speaking terms unless absolutely necessary. It’s a silent, awkward dance, avoiding each other’s gaze, quick “morning” and “night” being our only exchange.

“He’s super busy, honey.” I keep my voice light, not wanting to dampen her excitement. “But we can see if he wants to come, just for a little while, what do you think?”

Her little head nods vigorously, her curls bouncing. “Uncle Sean! Uncle Sean!” she chants, her little legs carrying her out the door before I can even blink.

I exchange a helpless glance with Rachel, who just shakes her head. “You’ve opened Pandora's box now,” she teases.

I shrug. “I’m about to face him anyway, might as well have a cute kid as my shield.” I wink, heading out the door after Mia, my heart thumping in my chest.

The workshop’s noises grow louder as we approach, and there he is, immersed in his work, unaware of the storm heading his way.

“Uncle Sean!” Mia’s voice pierces the air, her arms flailing around.

His head snaps up, his eyes widening as they lock onto the tiny human running towards him. A smile plays on his lips as he scoops her up into his arms. “Hey, munchkin, what’s up?”

Her arms wrap around his neck, her voice a whisper, “We go ice?”

His brows furrow, his gaze flickering to me. Our eyes meet, the air between us crackling. “Ice skating?”

I force a smile, my nerves dancing in my stomach. “Yeah, thought it’d be fun for Mia, break the routine a bit.”

“Uncle Sean come?” Mia’s hopeful voice breaks the tension, her eyes shimmering with excitement.

His gaze lingers on me for a moment longer before he looks down at Mia, his voice soft. “I’d love to, munchkin, but I have a lot of work…”

Mia’s face falls, and damn, it’s a punch to the gut. He seems to feel it too, his face softening. “Maybe I can join you guys later?”

“Promise?”

He smiles, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Promise.”

We still haven’t spoken a word to each other. We’re somehow still trapped in this strange air of silence.

Swallowing my pride, I step closer, but he doesn’t meet my eyes. “It’s not the only reason I came.”

“No?” he asks, his eyes on Mia as he smiles at her.

“No. I wanted to apologize for the other day. I shouldn’t have assumed—”

“No, you shouldn’t,” he clips.

We’ve fought before but I’ve never heard his voice so cold. I hit a raw nerve I never expected to encounter.

“I’m sorry,” I finally say, for once pleading with him to look at me.

He dips his chin and lifts his head. “I’m almost finished up here. I’ll meet you both at the rink.”

Oh.

“Okay, good,” I mumble, scooping Mia into my arms.

He returns to work which I guess is my cue to leave. Before I exit the workshop, he calls my name. I spin around to see that stupid half-smile on his face before his gaze finds mine.

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