Page 8 of Give Me a Reason

“You like apple cider?” Aria asked Paisley.

Paisley nodded. “Uh-huh. It’s delicious.”

Aria smiled at her, and a strange sensation filled my chest. “You guys want some too?”

Aria nodded, and Ireland said, “I’ll take one.”

I stepped forward when it was my turn and ordered four cups of hot apple cider. It was the perfect fall day. The sun was shining, yet the air was cool. I handed out the cups, cautioning Paisley against drinking the cider right away because it was hot.

We moved off to the side, and when Paisley saw a friend from school, she handed the cup to me. I watched her play with the boy with glasses from school—I thought his name was Vincent.

Then Ireland said, “I see someone I know. I’ll be right back.”

I let out a breath, a little nervous to be left alone with Aria after last night.

Aria stepped closer. “You said you were a dad, but nothing prepared me for seeing you with her.”

“What?” I asked, not understanding where she was going with this.

“It’s—” Her cheeks flushed, and I wondered what she was thinking. “You’re a good dad.”

“I get her every other week. My ex, Naomi, dropped her off this morning.” I wasn’t sure why I felt the need to let her know I wasn’t with Paisley’s mother. Maybe I hoped if I told her some of my history, she’d tell me hers.

“She seems like a sweet girl,” Aria said as we watched her chase the boy and tag him.

“She is.”

“You’re a musician, a band teacher, and a dad.” Then she waved a hand in front of me. “You’re like the whole package.”

I leaned over to whisper in her ear. “Are you saying you’re interested in my package?”

She flushed just as Ireland appeared in front of us. “What were you two talking about?”

I straightened and cleared my throat. “Paisley. What else is there to talk about?”

“She’s great, isn’t she?” Ireland asked Aria. “I’m sure all six-year-olds are good kids, but I think she’s the best.”

“You’re biased.” I bumped my shoulder with hers.

Ireland smiled at Aria, and I was jealous of their easy camaraderie. “She’s the best thing that ever happened to our family.”

My heart clenched. When Naomi got pregnant, we were just out of college, old enough to have a kid, but not sure we were ready for one. I worried my parents would think I was irresponsible for getting a woman pregnant, but they supported me and adored Paisley.

“I love kids. I watched my younger sister and babysat a lot when I was younger.”

My heart picked up at the nugget of information she’d revealed. “You have a little sister?”

“Yeah, she still lives at home. Now that I’m working with Gia, I’m hoping to get promoted so I can afford a bigger place. Then I can ask her to move in with me.”

That was interesting. She was always so put together with her makeup and clothes; I assumed she didn’t have any money worries, but that was a stupid assumption. “How old is your sister?”

“Twenty-two. She works as a waitress in a café but wants to go to community college.” Aria flushed slightly and looked away just as Paisley bounced up to us.

I had a feeling Aria revealed more to us than she intended.

“Can you go with me over there?” Paisley pointed to the arts and crafts tent.

Aria looked at me for approval, and when I nodded in assent, she took Paisley’s hand and led the way.

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