Page 45 of Dance with Me on New Year's Eve

“This is beautiful,” I said to no one in particular.

Jeff merely nodded next to me. It’s a good thing we weren’t working, as he’d probably accuse me of being distracted by the scenery.

“Yeah, it’s pretty,” Lila said nonchalantly from a few feet behind us. We turned to see her sitting at a picnic table and smiling up at us. “Come on! I need the bags, Daddy.”

“Are you hungry?” he asked.

“Starving. This place isperfect!”

“For what?” he asked, setting their two packs on the bench next to his daughter.

She rolled her eyes. “Duh, for a picnic. And other things.”

He simply lifted his eyebrow but didn’t respond, instead pulling his water bottle out of his waist pack.

“I didn’t even know you could buy, like, harnesses for your water bottles,” I said. “Are you two hardcore hikers?”

Lila’s laughter sounded louder than usual against the peaceful calm surrounding us. “Um, no. Dad usually wears that thing when he runs.”

“Oh, cool,” I said as I sat at the table across from Lila and retrieved my own snacks from my bag. I was about to bite down on a carrot stick when Lila gasped.

“Roxy! You didn’t seriously bringhealthysnacks, did you?”

Tilting my head slightly, I looked between the two of them and spoke slowly, “I … yes. I like carrots. Is something wrong?”

“Ignore her,” Jeff said as he rounded the table toward me. I frowned at him and moved over to make more space for him.

“Dad—”

“You packed nothing but sweets, Lila,” he said flatly. “And several cans of pop that are now warm.” His face remained neutral as she scowled at him.

I tried to hold back a laugh. “You guys are too cute.”

She looked at me, her scowl transforming into a suspicious look.

“I like sweets too,” I said, and then she finally smiled at me again before ripping open her bag of chocolates.

She paused mid-ripping. “Wait! We have to set up first!”

Jeff and I looked at her, and he spoke first. “Set up what?”

“Let’s set up the tiki torches over there, and I’ll get the picnic tablecloth and other stuff from the bag.”

I turned slowly to look at Jeff. We shared a look that silently spoke something along the lines ofCan you believe this kid?

And it was … peculiar. Since when did I ever share a wordless exchange with Jeff that wasn’t a glare or a scoff? Never. I didn’t even know he possessed other facial expressions.

When I tore my eyes away, he rose and turned to Lila. “Fine, I’ll set them up. Does it have to be right next to that maple?”

“It’s not that close. Not nearly close enough to start a fire,” I pointed out, trying to be helpful.

He grimaced. “Well, at least there was a reason I hauled four tiki torches on this hike. At least they’re short.”

“You’re the best, Daddy.” She smiled with glee as she dug several things out of the large backpack. I eyed her items, which included the tablecloth, more sweets, a fancy metal genie lamp, nail polish, and several card games, including UNO.

“That’s an interesting collection,” I said as I stood up. “Should I go help your dad?”

She shook her head. “Nah, he’s fine.”

---