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“Actually... I’ve had it before. It’s still one of my favorites.”
I place the vanilla on the table and look up. Why am I doing this to myself? I know it’s his favorite dessert, at least it was. If I tell him it’s also Reed’s, maybe he won’t assume I did it on purpose. He doesn’t understand the need I have to make him happy.
“It’s Reed’s, too.” I smile.
“No, it’s not,” Reed barks. I narrow my eyes at him to stop, but he keeps going. “I love your triple chocolate cheesecake.”
“Sweetie, I thought you loved my cobbler?” My words grate out between my teeth.
Way to be inconspicuous.
“I do, Mom. I love it,” he replies, his voice robotic and slightly scared.
“Great.” I turn around, ignoring the strange looks they’re both giving me and begin pouring ingredients into a bowl. If I don’t acknowledge how stupid I’m being, we can all forget this ever happened. Right? A cloud of flour erupts from the bowl due to tossing it in too fast, followed by laughter as I dust my shirt off. I twist my lips, staring at the cackling duo sitting at the bar. “Y’all think that's funny, huh?” Their heads bob in unison. The spoon clinks the steel bowl as I stir the flour, salt, and sugar together. “Hmm, I have a little too much dry ingredients,” I say right before I reach into the bowl and flick some right at their faces.
We break out in laughter when we notice Kase’s white cheeks and lips. He puffs the mixture out of his mouth, a wicked smile tugs on his lips.
“It’s time to add the wet ingredients.”
Pulling the sprayer off the faucet in front of him, he presses down the button and water sprays all over my shirt and then he turns it on Reed. Squeals and laughter ring about the apartment. By the end we’re all coated in a flour paste, the place is a mess, our cheeks all hurt from laughing so much and we just made our first family memory.
There might be a chance after all.
Two hours later, the kitchen is spotless, void of any evidence of a flour fight and we’re enjoying peach cobbler and ice cream. This day has turned out better than I ever expected.
“Can we go to the beach after we’re done?” Reed asks.
“That sounds like a great plan. You coming with us?” He looks at me with a smile.
I nod. I will go anywhere with you.
The smile plastered on my face scares me. I’m putting too much stock into a little play time. He was just having fun. It doesn’t mean he’s choosing me. He’s choosing her.
When I walk out of the bedroom, he’s answering his phone. He jerks forward off the couch, his shoulders tense and I know the call is about her. The smile I couldn’t stop before, drops off my face and disappointment from my unrealistic future sets in, again.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Kase
“Something’s wrong.”
The panic in Tori’s voice makes me shoot up off the couch. “What’s wrong,” I reply into the phone.
“I… I'm not sure. Ell hasn't called me in a couple days and I understand why she’s avoiding you, but there isn’t any reason she would avoid me.” Thanks for that reminder. “I went to her apartment today when she wasn’t answering her phone. Everything is in its place.”
“Okay.” I’m relieved to hear it wasn’t in disarray. “Maybe she’s at the Lighthouse.”
“Kase. Her car is still there. Her luggage is still there. She’s not at work. I’ve gone to all her normal places around here, but no one has seen her either. So, where is she?” she shrills into the phone.
I pull the phone away from my ear. “Calm down, Tori. She’s probably out taking pictures somewhere.”
“Calm down? What if he found her?”
“Who?”
“What if her stepfather–”
“Why would you think that? He’s in jail.” Prickles of fear form across my body as I pace the room. Why would she put that in my head? She just needs her space. Right?
