Page 14 of Must Love Bees
In theory, it sounded nice. In reality, it felt suspect and invasive. He didn’t know who his neighbors were back home and he liked it that way. His business was his business.
“You did help.” Nova nodded. “And I got to see you.”
“And Scorpio, too.” Astrid waved at the toy Nova refused to let go of. “Bye, for now.”
Charlie ran his fingers through his hair and watched Nova waving wildly until the truck was out of view. The farther away the truck went, the more the pressure in his chest eased and he could breathe.
“Youalwaysdo that. Freak out. Why don’t you like...people?” Halley’s voice came from behind him.
He turned to find her leaning against the doorframe, her usual frown in place. “I like people.”
“Name two. And you can’t say me and Nova.” She crossed her arms over her chest, waiting. “Or Mom.”
Charlie couldn’t do it.
Halley pushed off the doorframe. “Mom always said getting out and spending time with friends was good.”
Good for the soul. That’s what Yasmina would say when she’d go to her monthly book club. She hadn’t been an extrovert but she had made sure to spend time with the friends she valued. And she’d constantly poked at him to do the same.
“How about we finish our game?” Charlie steered them inside, closed the door against the sweltering heat, and headed for the family room and their to-be-completed game.
Nova dropped onto her knees on the pillow on the floor, leaning over the game board on the coffee table. “Is it because you miss Mommy?”
Charlie swallowed, hard.
“That you don’t want to make friends.” Nova cradled Scorpio close. “Because you’re too sad?”
“I miss her.” She’d been his best friend.I miss her no-nonsense nature and practical advice.If she were here, he’d know how to handle this. If she were here, he wouldn’t have to.
“It’s my turn.” Halley rolled the dice and tossed them on the ancient board.
He was thankful for the distraction. He’d stayed strong for the girls, and he wasn’t going to break now.
“You don’t have to like any of them.” Halley moved her yellow game piece. “Except Astrid.” She glanced at him. “She is supercool. It’d be nice to know someone here. Someone other than you and Nova, that is.”
“Please, Charlie.” Nova leaned forward, her curls bouncing. “Please like her.”
“We don’tknowher.” He rolled the dice, mentally scrambling for reasons to not like Astrid Hill.
“Yet.” Halley propped herself up on her elbow. “It was cool of her to bring the bike. She didn’t have to, you know. Maybe she wants to be friends. Is that such a bad thing?”
“Aunt Rebecca said she was nice and her friend. She said everyone liked Astrid—so we should, too.” Nova shook the dice in her hands, scrunching her little nose up as she tossed them onto the game board. “Yay!” She moved even farther ahead.
Maybe that was part of it. When Rebecca had described Astrid, he’d pictured someone different. Someone less... Or more... SomeonenotAstrid. He understood why the girls were intrigued. Astrid was interesting. He couldn’t quite pinpoint why, exactly, only that she stood out. There wassomethingabout her—he wouldn’t deny it.
“You might just win after all, Super Nova.” Halley grinned at her little sister, collecting the dice for her turn. “If Aunt Rebecca said Astrid was nice then Astrid is nice.”
Enough about Astrid. “I said we’ll see, Halley.” Charlie sat back in his chair. “You know I’m busy—”
“She said we could go there, Charlie,orshe’d come here.” Halley held the dice in her hand, pleading. “She’s basically offering to babysit us so you can work.”
Charlie really wanted to end this conversation. “If she’s babysitting, then I have to pay her.”
Halley sniffed. “Well, she didn’t ask you to pay her so that means she wants to be friends.”
“People don’t show up at your house, uninvited, wanting to spend time with your children.” Charlie tried to appeal to reason. “If that happened in Fort Worth, I’d call the police.”
“So, yourwe’llseeis a no.” Halley slouched back in her chair, her chin wobbling. “You’re so...so...” She broke off, dragging in a ragged breath before saying, “If you’ve already decided, why not just say no, then?” She threw the dice on the table. “I don’t want to play anymore.” She stood, ran up the stairs and slammed her bedroom door.
