Page 76 of Little Sunshine

Relief flowed through me when Violet gave me a dimpled smile while shaking her head. “That’s sweet of you, but Charlotte loves Target. She’s besties with all the bright lights. Just don’t tell the ceiling fan.”

I had no clue what that meant, so I just risked a peek at Ash. My relief grew when I saw he wasn’t pissed about my blurted mistake. Instead, he looked at me with an unreadable expression. A mix of softness and something more.

Something that made me feel like I had to squeeze my thighs.

When I wiggled in my spot on the counter, the softness left his gaze, leaving only intensity.

He probably thinks I’m trying to hide some pain.

I gave him a smile that I hoped was reassuring just as Violet spoke again. Her voice was light and happy. “Come on, Charlie. Time to get out of your uncle’s way.”

I was about to again blurt that there was no rush, and I would go, but Ash spoke first. “I’ll walk you out.”

That was… interesting.

Chapter 11

Be Careful in the Dark

ASH

“Mila seems nice.”

“She is,” I said simply, hoping Vi took the hint.

She wouldn’t.

“Young, too.”

I shot my sister a warning glare that she missed as she loaded Charlie into her car seat. My niece’s face scrunched with her disgruntlement at the lack of cuddles.

“Do your uncle a favor, Charlie girl, and have a giant diaper blowout right when your mama gets to the good aisle of Target.”

“Joke’s on you,” Vi said, “they’re all good aisles. And I have wipes, diapers, and a backup outfit in the bag.”

“Have two blowouts. Up the back and everything.”

Charlie stretched, her little fists shaking with the effort.

I bumped one of my tattooed fists to hers. “See? It’s a deal.”

“You’re a jackass,” Vi told me, but the smile on her face said otherwise. “I’m just saying, tread carefully with Mila. She’s young and skittish and has clearly been through it. And you have the tendency to be an overbearing, pigheaded?—”

“I get the point.”

“Yeah, but I still like making it.” At my stare, she held her hands up. “What? It’s my sisterly duty to humble you every once in a while.”

“Goodbye, Violence.” I used the nickname I’d given her when we were kids, and she would get the others to hold me down so she could fart on me.

Anyone who said boys were gross never had sisters.

“Keep it up, and I’ll tell Mom and Dad you’ve got a woman living with you. Mom will drive that monster of an RV straight through from Maine so she can start picking wedding themes.”

“You wouldn’t dare.”

Her smirk grew into a grin as she climbed into the car. “Call me if you need anything. Love ya!”

I turned to get back to my young, skittish houseguest when the car stopped, and the window went down.

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