Page 138 of Stolen Fate

“What?” I asked.

He opened his mouth, as if to say something, but closed it at the last minute. “Sorry. Nothing’s up.”

“Are you sure nothing’s up?”

He nodded. “Yes. I just… it must be because you and Elliot have been spending so much time together, but I swear Elliot’s adopted your smile.”

“My smile?” I asked with a laugh.

“I know. It sounds ridiculous when I say it like that. And I know that’s not possible since you guys aren’t related, but from a distance, you can pass for being his aunt or something.”

I nodded at that, though I couldn’t help the amusing smile from forming on my face. “Yeah, you’re tired, Simon. But that’s nice of you to say.”

He shook his head and laughed a little at that. I turned to Elliot then. “Are you hungry, sweetie.”

“For ice cream? Yes!”

Simon and I shared another laugh. “How about later, when you finish your lunch? How do chicken nuggets sound? Or maybe mac ’n’ cheese?”

There was a food court nearby that had all of those, I was sure.

“Ooh, can I have mac ’n’ cheese?”

“Of, course, sweetheart.” I held out my hand and he grabbed it right away. It still warmed my heart to see how trusting he was of me to take care of him. I never had anyone depend on me like that. Sure, my family did, but it wasn’t the same as having a child. It brought out all of my protective instincts, and all I wanted to do was make sure I did right by him.

We walked to the food court quickly, with Elliot taking up most of the conversation and Simon following slightly behind us.

I looked back as we turned the corner just in time for me to catch him staring at my butt.

I shot him a look of reprimand, and he at least had the decency to look embarrassed. His interest in me was obviously still there, but I was happy he hadn’t tried anything since that first time.

I looked up through the crowd trying to find a place that sold mac ’n’ cheese for Elliot. Just as I found an Italian restaurant in the far corner, Simon tapped my shoulder.

“Why don’t you and Elliot sit down? I’ll go get it. Besides, I don’t think Elliot likes the crowd very much and this would be better for him.”

I nodded. Elliot did look a little grumpy, and I knew a part of it probably had to do with the fact that he was hungry, but the crowd certainly didn’t help. We waited a little too long to get lunch.

“Good idea,” I said. “Here, let me take the shopping bag. Please order him a mac ’n’ cheese, and I’ll have whatever you’re getting.”

I found an open table not too far from where Simon was and led Elliot to the table, setting the bags down on one of the empty chairs.

My phone beeped as soon as I sat down. It was a message from Simon. I looked over to the line when I last saw him to find him looking at me and pointing to his phone. Elliot pulled on my arms and I looked over to him.

“Yes?”

“I think I just saw Charlie. Can we go and say hi?”

Frowning, I looked to where he was pointing, but I didn’t see Charlie anywhere. I saw a little girl who looked almost like Charlie from the back. “No, sweetheart. I don’t think that’s Charlie. Now, I need you to take a seat while Simon buys our food, okay?”

“But—”

I shook my head just as another message ding. “Hush now, let me answer this message from Simon, okay?”

I looked down at my phone and opened up the messages.

Simon: They ran out of mac ’n’ cheese. They do have grilled cheese and tomato soup. Is it okay if I get that for him?

Me: Grilled cheese and tomato soup is fine. He’ll eat it. Thank you for letting me know.”

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