Page 34 of With Us

Blocking out the audience, I smiled and shook my head. “No, we’re just friends.”

“Do you like him?” Before I could answer, Mar’s face lit up. “Oh, oh, do youlovehim? My friend Beth says that if you love a boy, you have to give him a note that asks if he loves you back. If he doesn’t answer, then you just have to tell him he’s your boyfriend now.”

“Mariangela Moretti, that is awful. I don’t know how I feel about you spending time with Beth now.” Tina shook her head at me. “They’re seven, but you’d think they’re seventeen sometimes. Sorry.”

“It’s okay,” I said with a laugh as I pictured passing a note to Theo, asking him to check yes, no, or maybe. I looked back at Mar. “I don’t think your Uncle Theo is a note passing kind of guy, but I appreciate the advice.”

Her lips pursed. “I guess.” With a shrug, she jumped up and sprinted across the room. “Let’s go, Kat.”

The other girl stood and followed, excitement making her steps extra bouncy.

Kat’s mom, Julie, watched them go, her eyes narrowed with suspicion. “What’re they up to?”

Tina picked up her wine glass and sat back in her chair. “No idea. Whatever it is, it’s clearly my daughter’s idea, so I apologize now.”

“For what?” Theo asked from behind me, making me nearly jump out of my skin as his hands landed on my shoulders.

“We think Mar is plotting something,” Tina said.

“I’d be more surprised if she weren’t.”

Carrying a couple bottles of wine, Rachelle entered the room before stopping. “Theo! You’re dripping all over my carpet. Go get a towel.”

“Good idea.” Leaning down close to me, his lips grazed my ear as he whispered, “Want to come help?” He didn’t give me the chance to answer. “I’m going to give Dahlia the rest of the tour.”

“Get the towels first, I don’t want you leaving puddles all through the house.”

I stood, Theo grabbing my hand as we walked from the room and up the stairs. He stopped and grabbed a couple towels from a linen closet before pulling me farther down the hallway. Releasing the towels to fall to the ground, his hand cupped my face as he lowered his head, his lips barely an inch from mine. I held my breath, anticipation growing as he reached behind me, pushing open the door.

Giggles filled the room.

Lifting his head, Theo sighed, his shoulders slumping as he looked past me. “What’re you doing in here?”

A young girl’s voice said, “We’re just—”

“Nothing,” Mar interrupted, meaning it was Kat who spoke first. “We’re hanging out.”

“I thought—” Kat tried again before getting cut off.

“Nope, just wanted some quiet.” I turned around to see Mar roll her eyes with all the attitude of a seventeen-year-old trapped in a seven-year-old body. “You adults are soloud.”

“Uh-huh.” Theo deadpanned. “And that meant sitting on the office floor with paper and pens instead of going to the entertainment room where there are couches?”

“In case I wanted to do some school work,” Mar instantly shot back, her excuses lined up and ready.

Her parents must have their hands full.

Short of arching his brow, which did speak volumes, Theo remained silent as he closed the door again. His hands went to the door frame, one at the top and one at the side, but he kept his body away from mine. Deep dimples popped out as he smiled, shaking his head. “You ready to go?” At my nod, he dropped his hands and grabbed the towels from the floor. “I’ll be right back.”

Leaning against the wall, I listened to the hushed whispers and loud giggles of the two girls.

Around the time I’d learned to stop accepting the new clothes, I’d also learned not to bother forming any sort of relationship with the other foster kids.

Foster homes were like a reality show. The losers were sent away, usually to other homes or juvie. The winners were able to stay in the same place for longer than a month. The rare grand prize winners, however, got afamily. A permanent one that came with a new last name and unconditional love. With that kind of prize on the table, things got competitive. Especially in some of the better foster homes I’d been in. There’d been backstabbing, sabotaging, and manipulation.

I wasn’t a bully or aggressive, although I’d known my fair share of both. I wasn’t an attention seeker, either. I melted into the background. I’d eaten, never asking for more than I was allotted. I’d taken care of my clothes and bedding, careful not to add to the stains or holes. And, so long as I’d had a library within my bus route, I hadn’t even asked for a ride or extra money for entertainment.

The pangs hit me again as I listened to the cousins who were obviously as close as sisters. I remembered how many times I’d opened my mouth to talk to one of the other girls before thinking better of it and remaining silent. Or all the times I’d tossed and turned at night, unable to stop my brain from dreaming up all sorts of crazyLittle Princess-esque fantasies. I hadn’t cared about the closet full of clothes, or a room full of toys. I’d just wanted to be surprised by the family I’d thought I’d lost. That magical day my real parents would come and pick me up, bringing me to a house filled with grandparents, uncles, aunts, and, most importantly, siblings.

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