Page 90 of Chasing Love: The Owens
Meanwhile, I’m a mess who can’t stop sweating and heaving from making sure no kid gets out of my sight.
Wren’s skipping ahead, her pigtails bouncing. Leia walks beside her quietly, holding her zoo scavenger hunt sheet as if it’s the winning lottery ticket, wanting to make sure she turns it in and gets that prize she was promised, even though it’s probably nothing big.
We pass through the reptile house, and I walk in the middle of the aisle, avoiding getting close to any glass case.
Bennett comes alongside me. “Trying to pretend they aren’t there?”
He’s been cordial with me today, and I wonder if we can turn things around again.
“Aren’t you doing the same?”
“Hell yeah, I keep checking the ground to make sure one didn’t escape.”
I laugh, and his arm brushes along mine. I deny the pull to move closer to him.
“Delaney?” Wren says, voice shaky.
I look down.
She’s holding her stomach. “My stomach hurts.”
I crouch in front of her, Bennett right next to me. “What kind of hurt?”
She glances down, toeing the ground with her sneaker. “Like… sick.”
“You didn’t eat anything weird. Just snacks from home.” Bennett’s brow is furrowed.
I gently rub Wren’s back. “Sometimes when you’re excited or walking around a lot, your tummy acts up. Want to go outside with me and sit for a second?”
She nods, and I scoop her up in my arms, her legs wrapping around my waist.
“I can take her,” Bennett offers.
“Nah, I got this.” I smile playfully that I get to escape the reptile house, and he’ll have to stay with the kids.
“She’s my responsibility,” he says, holding his hands out to take Wren, but she lays her head on my shoulder.
“Oh no, they’re all our kids today. We’re the chaperones, so you get to watch Matty.” I pat his chest, laughing and walking away.
“Matty, stop banging on the glass!” Bennett calls right before I push the doors open, smiling to myself.
We find a quiet bench outside, and I pull a water bottle from my bag and hand it to her, brushing a damp strand of hair off her temple. “Slow sips, okay?”
Wren nods, blinking at me with watery eyes. “I don’t like being sick.”
“No one does, sweetie. But we’ll get you better soon.” I shift on the bench, letting Wren lean into my side. Without thinking, I rub slow circles on her back. “Just relax.”
Wren leans into me, the tension in her shoulders easing. Something that’s been coiled up tight for weeks in me loosens too.
“My grandma usually gives me ginger ale,” she says. “But I like this better.”
“I can get you some?—”
Her arms tighten across my stomach. “No, I like the circles.”
“Okay then.”
I’ve almost dozed off when I hear Bennett’s voice telling the kids to stay together. When I look up, Bennett’s stopped and watching me. His jaw tenses, but his eyes are soft. As though he’s seeing something he’s not sure he should enjoy.
