Page 92 of Never Left You

“I’m supposed to talk to your father, not you.” I smiled, hoping he’d catch the tease.

“Dad’s out,” he voiced toneless.

I smirked and gave him a quick nod. “Can I see your sister?”

His eyes narrowed.

“Wyatt! Cut it. Let him in.” I heard Abi call from the back of the house.

With a heavy sigh, Wyatt stepped aside. I tipped my hat and entered the house, wishing I had just opened the door instead of ringing the doorbell. Abi was in the kitchen, setting up Stetson at the table. She moved, flawless as always, but with a purpose.

“Stetson, I’m cooking you what you like—”

“Nope.” He folded his arms.

“Stetson…” Abi stopped, raised her chin and grumbled. She inhaled, her chest rising and falling, slowly lowering her chin to look at me.

Our eyes met, and suddenly the fact that Wyatt was standing with his arms folded watching my every move, didn’t matter.

Abi was mesmerizing, wearing a lavender, long sleeve, knee-length dress that cinched at her waist. If she spun, the skirtwould flow out. The sleeves were a different fabric, thinner and flowy around her arms. Her tan boots, mud free, only complimented everything. Her hair was half up, half down, waves falling over her shoulders. The natural makeup she wore only made my heartbeat faster.

“Abi…you…”

“I’m late.” She sighed, interrupting me, frustration spreading across her face, “Stetson is being stubborn even though he gets to hang out with Uncle Wyatt all night.”

“I don’t want to hang out with Uncle Wyatt,” Stetson spat.

Abi’s expression was close to defeat. She took a step towards me, her fingers brushing my forearm. “Give me just a second, okay? I’ll be ready to head out soon. I just need to get him settled. He’s not used to me going out.”

“Where’s Kyla? I thought she would be the first to step up to the plate to babysit.” I asked, looking around the kitchen hoping the newest addition to the Hartwell family would materialize. It would definitely make it less awkward than Wyatt standing there.

“Date night.” Abi sighed again.

“Yeah, and I’m not staying here with Uncle Wyatt.” Stetson stood up and walked over to his mom, keeping his arms folded.

“Oh, come on, bud. We can watchBlueyand stuff.” Wyatt walked up to Stetson, fluffing his hair with his hand.

“I’m too old forBluey,Uncle Wyatt,” Stetson grumbled.

“What’sBluey?” I asked, raising my eyebrow, catching Abi’s gaze.

“A cartoon he’s definitely not too old for. I find myself watching it after he goes to sleep, Chili is the most relatable cartoon character,” Abi said quietly, then turned back to her son, “Stetson, I’m begging you…let me have this night.”

He turned to look at her, giving the most perfect seven-year-old glare. This kid wasn’t going to give up this easily. Just seeingthe stern look he was giving Abi told me that no matter what we did or said, he wasn’t going to approve of his mother going on a date.

Abi gave me another apologetic look. “I’m sorry. I talked to him about the date, and he was okay with it until he figured out that I wouldn’t be here. The kid loves to hang around others when I’m home, but take me out of the house—”

“And he’s not happy. He’s a kid, he just wants his mom around. I get it.”

“Maybe we should reschedule?” Abi raised a shoulder in question, her brows furrowing as she waited for my answer.

My breath hitched, I definitely didn’t want that to happen. Lightly grasping Abi’s hand, I felt her warmth. Then—like a light bulb, the thought hit me.

“I have an idea,” I said, squeezing Abi’s hand. “Stetson, why don’t you come with us?”

Abi and Stetson both jerked their heads to look up at me.

“What?” Abi breathed.

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