Page 92 of A Little Twist

The heat between us wasn’t fake. The things we shared were very real… but real what? A real fling? He told me before we ever started Penelope was his top concern, and the more I was with her, the more I wanted to protect her as well.

I don’t want her to question everything like I always did growing up.

“My mom never came back for me.” Lifting my eyes to hers, I see her confusion. “It took me a long time to get over believing if my own mother didn’t want me, why would anyone else?”

“Oh, honey.” Britt stands, pulling me into a hug. “You are so loved.”

“I know that now, but I’m trying to explain.” I stretch back. “Pinky needs to know her mother wants her, that she does care about her.”

Britt takes my hand. “I get it. You know I do, but I think having two people who love her so much they’d put her needs over their own sends a pretty strong message, too.”

“I wouldn’t know.” I study her hand holding mine. “I never had that.”

“Get up.” She gives me a pull. “You’re coming with me toNemotonight.”

“Oh, no…” Shaking my head, I’m ready to dive under the covers again. “I can’t see them there, all being a family. I’m not ready for that.”

“Let’s go.” She stands, pulling the blankets all the way off the bed. “You’re coming with me. Now get dressed. I’ll meet you in an hour, and don’t make me come up here and get you.”

* * *

Moviesin the Square launched last summer as a community service project by the Little Miss Sunbeam Pageant winner. Britt disapproves of pageants in general, but I’ve looked forward to this town gathering ever since we had a girls’ night, huddled up in lawn chairs with blankets and wine in our Yeti cups singing along toGrease.

Tonight, I’d pay to be anywhere else.

The sun is setting as everyone gathers around the large screen at the end of the grassy square across from the courthouse. Blankets and lawn chairs, portable play yards for babies, and dogs on leashes fill the space.

Events like these remind me how many people I don’t know in Eureka now, and how much the town is actually growing. Drake is on the sideline handing out pamphlets promoting Redford Park, and I do my best to avoid him, lifting my chin when I see Britt waving from down front.

Owen and Ryan are throwing a frisbee to Britt’s dog on the other side of the lawn, and a knot is in my stomach as I scan the area for Alex. I really don’t want to see him, but I can’t stop looking.

Before I came, I ran to the Pack-n-Save and picked up three boxes of Cracker Jack for the kids. They were all out of Big League Chew.

Picking my way through the crowd, I notice Britt hop to her feet. Her eyes are worried, and she’s making her way towards me. The skin on the back of my neck tightens, and I’m about to turn around when I hear the loud voice I love.

“EmCeee!” Pinky yells from behind me.

Instinctively, I turn, dropping to one knee and holding out my arms. She runs straight into them, wrapping hers around my neck like she might climb me.

“Hey, baby.” I give her a tight squeeze. “Are you ready to watchNemo?”

“Daddy said I had to sit with him, but he didn’t know you were going to be here. So I’m sitting with you.” She’s talking fast, and I notice her hair is in one of Alex’s cockeyed ponytails.

Sliding the scrunchie out of her silky curls, I re-tie it in the center of her head. “I like your shirt.”

She’s wearing cutoffs and a T-shirt with Nemo on it that reads,Have you seen my dad?

Nodding, she holds it out. “Jessica got it for me. She said it’s funny because it’s true.”

“How’s Jessica doing?” I don’t really want to know, but I need to.

“She thinks I should usekind wordsat baseball.” Pinky shakes her head. “It’s like she doesn’t know Owen at all!”

My lips press together. “Shedoesn’tknow Owen at all…”

“She said at this rate I’ll have cavities in all my teeth, and she said Daddy lets me get away with murder.” Her little brow furrows. “I don’t even know what that means.”

“I think it means you eat too much sugar.”

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