Page 57 of Comeback
The little girl catches one end of her broom on the floor and trips over it. The woman in front of me glances back and then hurries to her. Sabrina stops as well, her worry for the girl interrupted when she spots me standing in her studio. She smiles hesitantly at me, then checks on the girl, who is completely fine, except for her pink skirt, which is now covered in dirt.
“Sorry.” Sabrina’s lips move with the apology as she takes the broom from the girl, then moves to turn down the music.
I stay in my spot, just inside the door, until she looks back at me.
“Archer?” Surprise and what I think is excitement flashes over her features.
The woman who was glaring at me earlier stares at me with a much softer expression.
“Sorry,” she says. “I didn’t recognize you at first. I thought you were some creeper lurking on my daughter and best friend.”
I huff a short laugh. “Guess I shouldn’t lurk in doorways with a baseball cap.” I adjust the hat on my head to show more of my eyes.
Sabrina steps forward and waves toward the woman and girl. “This is Olivia and her daughter, Greer.”
“Nice to meet you both.”
“Are you Aunt Brina’s boyfriend?” Greer asks.
Her question catches me by surprise and gets another laugh out of me.
Sabrina blushes. “No, Archer is…” She trails off and flushes a deeper shade of red. “We’re roommates.”
Roommates who kissed the hell out of each other last night, but I guess telling that to a small child isn’t appropriate. It’s all I can think about though. Last night. This morning. Now. That was the best damn kiss of my life.
“We should get home,” Olivia says.
Greer whines. “I don’t want to go yet. Aunt Brina says I can come here and dance any time I want.”
Sabrina walks over and squats down in front of the girl, who looks like she’s on the verge of tears. “You are always welcome here, but only with your mom’s approval.”
Greer glances back at her mom. “Can I stay?”
“Not tonight, baby. You have school tomorrow and we still need to get groceries and finish folding laundry.”
Greer makes a face to show her disgust with the chores ahead, but she gets to her feet and walks to her mom.
Sabrina smooths a hand down the girl’s head. “How about when this place is all done, you and I have a sleepover. We’ll lay sleeping bags down on the floor and we can dance the night away?”
Greer’s eyes widen with excitement. “Cool. Can I Mom?”
Olivia nods. “Of course. That won’t be until she’s graduated anyway, right?” A smile tugs at her lips and Sabrina mocks surprise.
“Kidding,” Olivia says. She wraps one arm around her friend, hugging her close. “You’re doing a great job with this place already.”
“Thanks.” Sabrina beams with pride. “Later, bestie.”
“Bye!” Greer waves to her. She looks at me with suspicion. “Aunt Brina is pretty and kind.”
I nod.
“I thought boys liked girls who are pretty and kind so why aren’t you her boyfriend?”
“O-kay.” Olivia takes her daughter by the shoulders and guides her to the door, but she smirks at me as she passes by. “Smart kid.”
When they’re gone, Sabrina lets out a quiet chuckle. “Sorry about that.”
“I think I just got verbally attacked by a child.”
