Page 114 of Cold As Ice

“Thanks, this all looks amazing,” Harper said when I shoved the tray toward her. “Tell Kayleigh the new menu is going to be a big hit.”

“I will. She’s around here some— Ah, here she is.” Kayleigh appeared to look calmer than she had when I’d first got here.

“You can take off now,” she said. “Thank you so much for helping me out today.”

“Anytime, you know that.”

“You’ll join us for a little bit?” Harper asked.

“I…”

“Go. I’ve got this.” Kayleigh ushered me out from behind the counter.

“I’ll see you Monday,” I said.

“You will. Now go,” she mouthed. “Make friends.”

I rolled my eyes before following Harper to their table.

“Mommy, wooks. I made a new friend. His name is Scotties.”

“Scottie,” he corrected.

“That’s what I said.”

“No, you said Scotties. There’s only one of me. I’m not a plural.”

“What’s a plural?”

“She’s only little, buddy,” Harper intervened. “She doesn’t know—”

“Hey, I’m not wittles. I’m a big girl. I’m fives this year.”

Rory and Harper smothered a laugh, but I saw no judgment in their eyes.

“Immy, baby, no one meant any harm.”

“I am a big girl, Mommy. Tells them.”

“We know, princess.”

“Princess?” Scottie frowned, looking her over. “You’re not a princess.”

“I am so sorry,” Harper mouthed as she quietly explained the rules of role-play to him.

But I was smiling, too.

There was something so pure about watching kids interact. Experiencing the world through their eyes.

I wanted to treasure every moment.

* * *

“Scottie, time to go, bud,” Harper said.

The Cat ‘n’ Chat session had ended almost an hour ago, but Scottie and Imogen were having so much fun with Mrs. Owens, she’d agreed to stay longer.

“I want to stay here. With Immy and the cat lady.”

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