Page 63 of The Layover

22

Diego

Ariana didn’t call us at work often, but it didn’t mean her reasons for doing so were bad. Still, as I answered the phone, disquiet ran through me. “Ciao.”

“There’s a woman here, like you said. She’s claiming she’s Eloise’s mother and she wants me to let her in. I told her no, but she’s not leaving.”

My anger spiked. “I’ll be right there. Call me if you need.” I hung up to find the entire group watching me. Raul was the only one I cared about. “I need to go.”

“Isabella?” Raul asked. “I’ll come too.”

“It’s okay. I’ve got it. We’ll be back soon.” I understood his desire to join me, and if he’d taken the call I’d feel the same, but there was no reason to tear us both away.

Raul worked his jaw as if he was going to argue, then gave me a short nod instead.

I tried not to count the seconds between the church and the apartment, and failed. When I arrived, Isabella was nowhere to be seen. I pushed inside to find Ariana sitting on the couch, fidgeting with her hands, while Eloise sat nearby, singing along with the TV.

Eloise grinned when she saw me. “Daddy. You’re home from work early.”

“I’m only here for a little while.” I scooped her into my arms. “But you and Ariana are coming back to work with me.”

“We are? Huzzah. Is it because of the scary lady?”

Was it wrong that I wanted to smirk at her description? “Did you have to talk to the scary lady?”

“No. She went away again.”

“She left when I told her you were on your way here. I never opened the door for her,” Ariana said.

Good. But what the fuck was Isabella up to? I kissed Eloise on the forehead before setting her down. “Go grab three toys. You have to hurry, so we can go.” I didn’t expect another encounter while I was here, but an uncomfortable urgency spilled inside.

Eloise was so happy to spend the day at work with us that there was no dawdling. It wasn’t long before we’d joined Raul and the others at the church again. I was surprised Carly’s friends were still there.

“Raul told them what was going on,” Carly said. “They wanted to wait to make sure everyone was okay.”

“We’re fine.” I forced cheer into my voice, despite the rambling thoughts about what is Isabella up to? “I don’t want to delay any vacations.”

Daria smiled. “No delay. We’re here for Carly first, and she’s here for you.” That was a long pause. “For work.”

Carly shot Daria a look that was impossible to miss, and was filled with warning.

Fascinating.

I was about to shoo the tourist group out the door when Harmony walked up to Eloise. “My name is Harmony. You’re my new friend. What’s your name?”

Eloise looked at Raul and me, as if asking permission. Maybe the scary lady drove home the don’t talk to strangers lessons.

I gave her a nod of encouragement. “It’s okay. We know these people.”

Eloise grinned and turned back to Harmony. “I’m Eloise. My daddies say we can be friends.”

“I have lots of daddies too.” Harmony looked excited.

Eloise shook her head. “I don’t have lots. I only have two. That’s a normal number.”

“I have three. Plus a mommy.” Harmony pointed at Daria. “But one daddy doesn’t live with us because he’s a dickhead.”

“Daddy. What’s a dickhead?” Eloise asked us.

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