Page 28 of Whiskey Wednesdays

A few days later, Connor and Elodie knocked on my apartment door. When I let them in, Connor stepped inside, looked around, and frowned.

Elodie ran over and grabbed my hand. “Daddy did my hair.” She patted one of her side buns. “Are you going to eat lunch with us today?”

Smiling, I patted her hair too. “Your buns look awesome. And I haven’t planned that far ahead. I just got done with breakfast.”

Connor watched us, then glanced around again. “This place is depressing.”

Elodie looked up at me. “You could move in with us ‘cause we have lots of rooms. Or you could stay in Daddy’s room.”

Connor’s mouth twitched. “That’s not a bad idea, El.”

It would’ve been funny if the thought hadn’t sent my blood pressure skyrocketing. I knew my apartment wasn’t great, but I’d tried to make it a little cheerier with second-hand throw pillows and a bright rug. But the rug contrasted depressingly against the dingy linoleum.

I looked down at her and tried to smile. “Thanks for the offer, and that’s so nice. But I need a place of my own.” I glared at Connor. “And the first time I was insideyourhouse, I thought it was depressing too.”

“What does depressing mean?” Elodie asked.

“It means sad or gloomy. That kind of thing.”

“Why do you think our house is sad?”

I might have hurt her feelings, so I squatted down. “I’m sorry. Your house is wonderful, especially now that you live in it. But the first time I was there…”

I gazed up at Connor helplessly, not knowing how to explain.

He studied me somberly. “Noah was there, El, and he wasn’t very nice. Neither was I.”

“Ooh. Noah is mean to me too.” She patted my cheek in sympathy.

Connor rubbed the back of his neck. “Okay, let’s go get your injections and then take Bella to lunch to say thank you.”

I hadn’t agreed to lunch, but I didn’t want to hurt Elodie’s feelings twice in one day, so I nodded.

I found myself riding shotgun next to Connor in his Range Rover with Elodie chattering away from her booster seat in the back. I turned around and studied her hair again. Her braids were twisted up in buns on the sides of her head, and she looked like Princess Leia. It was even more adorable because Connor had done it. I was so weak.

When we got to the clinic, Connor filled out the paperwork to get her signed up. I’d set up the appointment earlier, and they were more than happy for me to give her the shots. One of the assistants took us back to an examination room and brought the vaccines in. I washed my hands, put on rubber gloves, then pulled up Elodie’s sleeve and swiped her arm with an alcohol swab.

“Where’s your favorite lunch place around here? You’ll feel a little pinch.” I gave her the first shot.

She scrunched up her nose but didn’t complain. “Maybe McDonald’s?”

“McDonald’s? Don’t get me wrong, I like their strawberry shakes. But we can do better than that.”

I glanced at Connor as I swabbed her other arm. He leaned against the wall and watched us.

“What do you think?” Elodie asked me.

“Hmm. We could go to Cheeky’s or Tyler’s Burgers. Those are the only places I know. You’ll feel another pinch.”

I gave her the second shot, put a bandage on it, and then rubbed her little arm. The second vaccine was a little more painful.

“Owie,” she whimpered.

“Sorry. That last one stings a little, but you were a superstar.”

Connor walked over and kissed the top of her head. “You were great, sweetheart. What do you guys think about going to the arena for a bit, then Cheeky’s?”

Elodie perked up. “Can I see Jack?”

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