Page 83 of Rejected Beta

"Can Mr. Bouchard and Coach Hendrix stay too?"

I smile at her doggedness. “I don't think we have room for that, darling, but they can certainly come for dinners every night."

Ryder smiles. “I’d love to. And I'm sure Hendrix will feel the same. By next week, we may have a better option."

I jerk a confused glance his way. “Oh yeah? What's that?"

He rolls his shoulders in a nonchalant shrug, a secret smirk on his lips. “It's a surprise."

"A good one?" I ask.

"I think so."

I want to question him further, but he’s so adorable with his pleased excitement over the secret, I don’t have the heart to ruin it.

"I look forward to it then. Why don't we all head upstairs? The studio is closed for the day, so we'll be more comfortable up there. Have you heard from Hendrix today?" I ask Ryder.

"He'll be here in a couple hours. He got caught up at the center." Ryder turns to Jareth once we’re upstairs. "He really does need help over there if you're interested, but don't feel pressure."

Jareth looks interested. “I’d love to check it out. I've never had a chance to really think about what I want to do with my life. I never really believed I had a future."

Ryder smiles sweetly at him. “Well, now you have time to think about that and try new things until you find something that fits."

Jareth frowns. “I want to make sure I'm pulling my weight."

"You will. There's no rush though." I turn to Lexie. "Tell me all about school today, darling. What do you want for a snack."

She hops up on the stool beneath the bar. "Ice cream."

I snort. “Nice try. How about yogurt and a banana?"

"Can I get some Nutella with the banana?"

I sigh. “Just a spoonful."

She grins. “Deal."

"You've got quite the little deal maker on your hands," Ryder comments.

I laugh. ”What did she try to get out of you on the way home?"

"Ice cream."

"Really craving ice cream today, huh, darling?"

She shrugs, unrepentant. “I am."

"Maybe we can have some tonight."

"Yay!"

I don't want to spoil her, and I might be letting my guilt and worries get to me over keeping secrets from her, but a little ice cream won't hurt. Besides, it's not like she's turning into a brat. I'm just finally able to give her more than I've ever been able to before.

She does need friends though.

I'm going to make sure to make nice with Jane's moms and figure something out for playdates. It's too bad Aurora and her pack haven't had any children.

Lexie turns to Jareth. “So you don't know what you want to be when you grow up?"

---