Page 23 of Saving You

“That’s all you’re going to say?”

“There isn’t much more to say about it. I’ve dated, but the last one didn’t end great. I decided not to date anymore.”

Matt and Josh watch me as though they’re looking for more between my words. I consider them both two of my closest friends, but I haven’t been able to open up to them about everything.

They drop the conversation, and we shower and change before heading upstairs. Making our way into the restaurant, we find the girls at a long table in the centre of the room. We walk over to them, and Josh heads straight towards Liv. They always find each other when they’re in the same room. It’s as though they’re two magnets drawn to each other. Charlie is sitting beside Olivia with Bailey sitting across from her between Lily and Hannah, Zoey is beside Hannah, and Liz is sitting at the head of the table. It looks like they purposely left the seat beside Liv open for Josh.

As soon as Josh makes it to the table, Charlie turns in her chair and spots me. She jumps out of her seat and runs to me, grabbing my hand.

“You’re beside me, Caleb.”

She pulls me along, and I follow with a smile as this little girl tells me where I’m sitting. As soon as we’re both seated, she looks at her mom. “I get to sit between Aunty Liv and Caleb,” she says excitedly.

“Yes, you do, Baby Girl.” Bailey looks at her with overflowing affection and love; but there’s something else, something sad.

“Don’t tell me Aunty Liv has replaced me as your favourite,” Lily says.

Charlie looks directly at Lily and shakes her head. “No, Caleb’s my favourite.” She then turns back to the colouring sheet in front of her. I’m left speechless, and people are looking at me curiously.

“Thank you,” I say.

“You’re welcome,” she says, not looking up.

Our server, along with the help of her coworkers, delivers our food as well as a few pitchers of water. With her food in front of her, Charlie does a little happy dance in her seat. I take a bite of my grilled cheese and let out a groan. Turning to Charlie I say, “This is really good.”

She nods as she takes a bite, gooey cheese strung between her sandwich and mouth. Matt and Zoey seem deep in conversation, while everyone else talks around them.

When Charlie finishes eating, she returns to her drawing, but after a few minutes, she looks at me and asks, “Can I sit in your lap?”

My eyes immediately find Bailey’s, and I mouth,Can she?

She nods. I reach over to Charlie, positioning my hands in her armpits and pulling her onto my lap. When she’s settled, I bring her paper and crayons with so they are in front of me.

“Do you want to play tic-tac-toe with me?” I ask.

She nods, and I draw the board, allowing her to make the first move. We play a couple of rounds before she adjusts herself in my lap, leaning into me like she’s going to fall asleep. I wrap my arm around her, making sure she’s secure. I take a deep breath and inhale the smell of her strawberry shampoo. The smell winds around me, and I feel myself getting tired. My head moves as I track the conversations around the table. Olivia catches my attention when she slides into Charlie’s chair.

“You’re good with her,” she says as she reaches forward and tucks a piece of hair behind Charlie’s ear.

“She makes it easy,” I say with a soft smile.

“Don’t write yourself off like that, Caleb. Not everyone is as good with kids as you are with her. She can read it too. She’s taken with you, and I have a feeling she’s a good judge of character. If she didn’t feel safe and comfortable with you, she wouldn’t be asleep in your lap right now.”

I meet Liv’s eyes and see the truth in them. Being a teacher and dealing with kids daily, I trust her judgment. Something squeezes my heart. It’s not something to take lightly, having a little girl as sweet as Charlie feel safe with you. Especially when she’s seen what she has.

“Thanks, Liv.”

She nods and moves back to her seat beside Josh.

Bailey looks over at me, shock filling her face. I don’t think she’s looked over here since Charlie’s fallen asleep. She comes to my side, saying, “I should get her home.” She moves to grab Charlie, but I hold up my hand and say, “I’ve got her. Just let me get the bill and I’ll carry her to your car.”

“I don’t want to put you out. I can take her.”

“It’s no problem, Bailey. I’ll take her.”

She appears to resign herself and waives over the server. I ask for the check for the three of us. When the server returns, I take it before Bailey can and ask for the machine. Bailey opens her mouth like she’s going to argue, but the look I give her tells her not to. When I finish paying, I run a hand over Charlie’s back.

“Little Bear, it’s time to go home.”

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