Page 18 of The Layover

We were rarely gone this long, and we’d never been home a day late before. “We’ll be there soon.” I tried to sound as reassuring as I could.

Eloise sniffled. “I want you home now..”

“Soon, baby,” Diego said. “We love you.”

We spent a few more minutes making sure Eloise was okay until we got home, then I blew her a kiss, and Diego hung up.

How much of a fit would Carly throw if we changed our plans? It didn’t matter. We were going home.

“Don’t bother dropping me off.” Her statement caught me off-guard.

I looked up to find her twisted in her seat, watching us with concern. “Excuse me?”

“I understand enough Italian to get the gist of the call.” Carly looked sympathetic. “Don’t worry about taking me to my hotel. I can catch a cab from your place.”

That was the way things would’ve gone regardless, but if Carly thought it was her idea, things would run more smoothly. “Bless you.”

The driver was already pointing the car toward our apartment. It didn’t take us long to get home. The instant I stepped from the car, Eloise darted from inside the building, her face stained with tears, and attached herself to my legs in a tight hug. Ariana followed behind at a more casual pace.

I loosened Eloise’s grip enough to crouch and bring myself closer to her height, and she threw her arms around my neck instead, nearly knocking me over. “Hey, what’s wrong?” I asked, hugging her.

“I had a dream that your airplane crashed and that you were never coming home and I was so scared.” Eloise finished her reply with a loud wail.

Diego knelt next to us and settled a hand on her back. He kissed her on the top of the head. “We’re here now, see? It was just a bad dream.”

“And you’re not leaving again?” she asked through sniffles.

I continued to hold her. “Not for a while. We’re safe. We’re going to stay safe.”

“Okay.” Eloise hiccupped. “As long as you promise.”

I pressed my lips to her cheek. “Cross my heart.”

Eloise pulled away and her tears vanished. “Who are you?”

Right. Carly was still here, standing next to her luggage and looking a bit uncomfortable.

Our bags had already been taken upstairs.

“This is Carly.” Diego switched to English.

“You’re pretty.” Eloise followed suit.

Carly smiled. “Thank you.” She didn’t look like she felt any less awkward.

“She’s like an Ariana for Dad and me,” I teased, switching back to Italian to keep Carly from getting too annoyed with what I was saying.

“She’s going to babysit you?” Eloise sounded entertained by the prospect.

“Exactly.”

Carly huffed. “Tell me I misunderstood that exchange.”

“Do you babysit my dads?” Eloise looked at her, eyes wide.

Carly wrinkled her nose and furrowed her brow, before saying, “Your English is very good.”

“Thank you. I practice all the time.” Eloise grinned.

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