Page 61 of Home Sweet Home

Evie picked up the jar of sourdough starter, bubbly and foamy, like the ocean when the wave pulls back in. “I tried making a starter once. It grew this green mold. I got too scared to try again. Always intimidated me.”

“Hard to imagine anything intimidating you, Peach,” West said, grabbing the jar from her hands. He pulled an empty jar from the cabinet, poured half of the starter into it, and twisted on the cap before thrusting it into Evie’s hands. “Have some of Bubbles. Get some stretch-and-fold practice in. Make sourdough your bitch.”

Evie looked at the jar in her hands, as precious as a diamond. “I’ve never had a date send me home with yeast.”

West grinned. “I’m honored I get to be the first.”

Evie was remembering what had almost happened before West saw her dad in the living room when her phone vibrated in her pocket. She looked at it then looked up at West. “It’s Kayla. She knows I’m here. It must be important.”

West nodded. “Take it.”

“Hey,” Evie said, turning away from him, the phone tight against her ear.

“I’m really sorry to do this,” Kayla said. “But Kenny’s dad had a heart attack. He’s at the hospital in West Greensburg. He’s fucking upset, and if he drives himself… Could you—”

“Of course. Be there in ten minutes.”

“Everything okay?” West asked as Evie hung up the phone.

Evie gathered up her sourdough jar and her purse slung over a chair. “Kenny’s dad’s in the hospital. I need to go watch Ryleigh.”

West grabbed his Jeep keys from the counter. “I’ll come with you.”

“Really, it’s okay. You’ve got the loaf. And you didn’t sign up for babysitting.”

“I signed up for spending time with you,” West said with a sigh as he turned off the oven. “I can do that anywhere. Now, how about we skip all the arguments and get on the road?”

CHAPTEREIGHTEEN

“Remind me again,”West said. “That one Bug?”

“I told you. This one’s Cuddles.” Ryleigh sighed. She pointed to the stuffed penguin sitting in a tiny chair at a tiny table.

The chairs were built for seven-year-olds, so when West plopped down in one, Evie held her breath. Only one butt cheek fit, but the thick, primary-colored legs were sturdy, somehow not collapsing under his weight.

Ryleigh picked up a giraffe and thrust it toward West. “This is Bug.”

When Ryleigh was suitably distracted, West leaned toward Evie, his voice low. “Am I going crazy, or did she say the opposite, like, three seconds ago?”

Evie smiled. “She’s fickle. Comes by it so honestly.” A flicker of disappointment ran through Evie when she remembered what had almost happened at West’s house and what might still have happened if she hadn’t gotten the call from Kayla. “Sorry. Animal Tea Party probably wasn’t on your agenda for tonight.”

“Only because I wasn’t creative enough to think of it,” West said with a grin.

“You’re not helping,” Ryleigh whined. “Feed Bug.”

“Oh. Sorry.” West plucked a plastic apple from the table and held it to the giraffe’s mouth before making nibbling noises that made Evie smile so widely, her cheeks felt tight. “I see she’s picked up a few traits from you, too, Peach.”

Two hours and four books later, Ryleigh was asleep. It was two more books than they’d agreed on, but West, who must have made a good impression because Ryleigh insisted he be the one to read to her, was easily manipulated. Evie took notes on Ryleigh’s tactics, filing them away for later. They’d turned on her nightlight, a rotating disco ball that projected stars onto the walls, and left the door cracked because Ryleigh couldn’t sleep in the dark. Then they both collapsed onto the couch.

“Wow,” West said, sinking deeper into the couch. “She’s a lot of work. But she’s hilarious.”

The exhaustion hit Evie hard. It was hard to believe everything that had happened since she’d walked into Joe’s, with her dad coming back and her date with West. “Every time I babysit, I need a nap. But it’s the most fun how she sees the world.” Evie’s phone vibrated with a text from Kayla.Home in a few hours. You’re a lifesaver. Love u.

It was past ten, so Kayla wouldn’t be back until well after midnight. Evie sent a quick text to Josh, letting him know she would be late. Not that she expected him to respond, but she didn’t want him to worry.

“She won’t be back anytime soon,” Evie said. “If you want to go home.”

“I’m starting to think you’re trying to get rid of me,” West said.

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