Page 56 of Accidentally Sliding Into A Second Chance

Till next time,

Chamie

Chapter Twenty-Two

Cat

“Cat?”Mygazedartsto the rearview mirror, where I catch Scarlett kissing the top of Emmy’s head. When she looks toward me, warmth blooms in my chest, and a smile spreads across my lips. “Are you and Daddy going to stay married?”

My eyes flare, and my stomach swirls. “Um. Well. Hmmm…”

Scarlett’s gaze drills into mine, searching for an answer. One I don’t have yet.

Things have changed over the last two weeks since the kiss, and not just between David and me, but also with Scarlett. However, our original arrangement hasn’t changed.

Not in any official capacity, anyway, but something has shifted.

I feel it. I’m pretty certain David feels it. And if her question means anything, Scarlett feels it.

The question left hanging in the air, the one David and I have been avoiding, is: What are we going to do about it?

The adults in this equation are doing a stupendous job pretending it’s not something we need to address, unlike theadorable little girl who needs an answer. Scarlett’s a bull in a china shop, and her new target is this marriage.

Is David getting the same third-degree?

“Do you like him?” She asks, just as Emmy sticks her nose out the cracked window like this conversation isn’t worthy of her attention.

“Your dad is a very likable person.” My lips twitch, the answer coming out easily. I watch as she nods firmly.

“But do youlikehim, like him…” There’s a glint of hopefulness in her eyes, and my chest clenches. The simple answer is yes. I like him, like him. And if I’m really honest, I’m probably in love with him. But I’m not ready to fully admit those feelings quietly, forget about out loud.

When I see the entrance for Love It or Leaf It, the tightness in my chest loosens a teeny-tiny bit at the reprieve. Flicking on the blinker, aclick-click-clickfills the pregnant silence, and I turn into the parking lot of Emmy’s playcare.

Swiping my forehead with the back of my hand, I press my cool palms to my cheeks.

Why is it so hot in here?

Feeling Scarlett’s questioning gaze burning a hole in the back of my head, I focus on the task at hand, ignoring her last question.

“Let’s get Emmy inside.”

Opening the rear driver’s side door, I call Emmy. She hops over Scarlett, who giggles, and pushes her head out of the car and over my shoulder. I grab her leash before she can leap out and rush the front door. Scarlett unbuckles herself and follows suit.

“Take my hand,” I say, stretching out my arm toward Scarlett, when both Emmy and Scarlett are out of the car. She places her tiny hand in mine, making my heart flip. Shoving the door closed, we walk toward the entrance.

The next few minutes are a blur of activity, with the Love It or Leaf It staff’s laughter following us as we return to the parking lot.

When we’re on the road and making our way to school, the question is ‘forgotten’ as Scarlett tells me about her next school project and how ‘Uncle Dunky’ is helping her.

The corner of my mouth twitches as we pull up to the drop-off zone, and Scarlett, just like Emmy, all but bursts out of the car before giving me a quick wave. She meets up with some friends, blatantly ignoring the young boy who is watching her every move.

As if an afterthought, she flicks a wave in his direction and gives him a bright smile. For one moment, his frown flips before he drops his head and slowly follows the girls. The disappointment in his eyes obvious to anyone watching the interaction.

Unable to drag my gaze from the exchange, my insides lurch. The raw pain in his eyes stings, tugging at a familiar ache I had buried.

Swallowing hard, I fight against the memories threatening to resurface.

Me, sitting in the back seat, staring at my home as me and my mom leave my dad, David, and the only life I had known behind.

---