Page 27 of Milo
“I’m going to be right at the door, okay?” I ask Emily.
“Okay.” She takes a sip of her hot chocolate and I get a watery smile from her. “I’ll be good and stay right here. I like this picture.”
When I step out the door, Milo’s right there, concern swimming in his pretty blue eyes. “Is she okay?”
“She will be. Kids are resilient. Callie’s an excellent mom and I didn’t realize how affected Emily was with her dad walking out on them. She’s such a happy-go-lucky kid, you know?”
Milo nods. “You’re welcome to stay as long as she needs. And seriously, if you need anything, I’ll get it for you.”
“Thank you, my sweet Milo.”
His cheeks blush, and he shakes his head. “I’m just glad the room’s getting used. I wanted a low sensory place for kids that need it. It’s something that would have been helpful to me as a kid. I’m grateful Ben—he’s the owner—let me highjack this space to make it.”
“It was a great idea, kiddo.” Someone comes up behind Milo and snatches his hat to ruffle his hair. “I’ve been way behind the times. Good thing I got these youngsters to keep me up on all the hip things.” He holds out his hand. “Ben Doyle of Doyle’s Dandy Books.”
“Clay.”
Ben gives Milo a look.
“Yes, that Clay.” Milo laughs and shakes his head at Ben’s wiggling eyebrows.
“You talk about me?” I ask, curious about what he says.
“Ohhh, yeah,” another person dressed as an elf comes up beside us. “I’m Rory. And that one.” He nods to a tall blond also dressed as an elf. “Is Logan if he comes over, too.”
Milo grins wider. “Met the entire family almost, but Jacob isn’t here.”
“The one I need to really impress.”
Rory laughs. “You already impress him. I think he’s watched every single one of your insta reels since we told him about you.”
“No.” Milo says as he goes beet red.
“Oh yes,” Rory says. “I’ve fallen asleep to the lovely sounds of flower Daddy for several nights now.”
“Interesting,” is all Milo says.
“Welp,” Ben interrupts. “We should probably all get back to work. Nice to meet you Clay. I hope to see more of you.”
“For sure, I’ll be back.”
“See you later,” Milo says, but not before he squeezes my hand as he walks away.
When I rejoin Emily in the quiet room, she’s humming to herself and a stuffed animal as she continues to color. It’s almost as if she didn’t start crying only minutes ago.
“Do you think Mister Milo will like my picture?”
“I think he’s going to love it, buttercup.”
Chapter 11
Milo
I loved workingwith the kids yesterday, but I’m glad to have today off. I stare at my ceiling after the alarm went off and I’m not ready to get out of bed. My body aches a little, which is to be expected after a day like yesterday. A bath feels like the best way to alleviate the problem, so I crawl out of bed, take a quick shower, then get my bath going. I’m not feeling the toys and bubbles, though. I just want pure relaxation.
I sigh as I sink into the heat. Bliss.
Tonight I get to go with my Daddy to visit Santa and play with other local Littles and Middles. Clay said to dress however I want, and I want to wear my Christmas footie pajamas with sleepy polar bears. They’re so cute.
