Page 62 of Lost on Ice
“Lilah?” I call out, rushing toward the hall and down to her room. “Lilah, where are you?”
My heart is pounding. Fuck, fuck fuck. Where is she? I come to a sudden stop, nearly tripping over my own feet when she walks out of her room with paper in one hand and crayons in the other. Smiling, she holds them up to me.
“Color?” she asks.
I let out a long, shuddering breath. Oh, thank God! I don’t remember the last time I was so fucking scared.
Isthiswhat parenthood would feel like? Terrifying moments popping out of nowhere, all the damn time, because you love a helpless little being so damn much? It’s a big difference from having siblings, if so.
“Yeah,” I answer breathlessly. “Yeah, we can color.”
When my phone rings a few hours later, I quickly move to answer it. Lilah is sitting in the living room, playing with a collection of dolls she’s dragged out from her room. I’ve been sitting with her, pretending to be a prince who needs to rescue her princess doll.
I look to see who’s calling and see Carter’s name flashing across the screen.
“Hey, man,” I say, answering the call. “What’s up?”
“Not much,” he replies. “What’s up with you?”
I glance over to Lilah and chuckle. “Well, I’m babysitting today. Lilah and I have had a busy morning of coloring and dolls.”
“Oh, yeah?” His tone is cautious. “How do you feel about looking after her?”
He’s digging for something, I can tell, but I don’t want to go too deep into things when Lilah is right here with me.
“Abbie needed help, and I offered. It’s not a big deal.”
“Uh huh,” Carter mutters. “Anyway, I was calling to see if you wanted to get lunch?”
“I’m game to go to Sal’s if you don’t mind Lilah tagging along.”
“Not at all.” His tone brightens. “The more, the merrier.”
“All right, we’ll meet you there.”
I hang up with Carter and turn back to Lilah.
“Hey, kiddo. You want to go get something to eat?”
She looks up at me with that big grin of hers I love.
“Yeah!”
I smile back at her. “Let’s get ready to go. Find your shoes.”
She hops up, and I help her get her shoes and coat on and we head out of the apartment. Making our way down to Abbie’s car, I get Lilah in her car seat. It takes me a few seconds to remember how the straps work, but when she’s buckled in and secure, I get in behind the wheel and drive us to Sal’s.
Carter is already there when Lilah and I walk in. The restaurant is a little crowded today, and most of the booths are filled, but he’s managed to snag one and waves us over.
“Hey, guys,” he greets us with a wide smile as we sit down.
“Hi!” Lilah exclaims happily.
“How are you, little miss?” Carter asks.
“Good.” She takes the coloring book and crayons I brought for her and sets them out on the table. “Jake and I having fun. Where Chase?”
Carter chuckles. “Glad to hear you’re having fun. Chase is at daycare, otherwise I’d definitely have brought him.”
