Page 51 of Chalk It Up

“Actually, I do.”

August leaves a sleepy Adeline with me and it seems like he came armed with a donut to bribe her and some hot cocoa for both of us. I watch his taillights leave the campus and I’ve never felt more at peace.

chapter 34

August

Five Months Later

“Addie, are you done cutting the strawberries?” My nerves are shot and it has everything to do with the fact that Evie is coming over for Saturday brunch. Their school year officially ended yesterday, and Evie and I decided that we don’t want to waste any more time not telling Addie that we’re together.

We’ve been very discreet these last few months. Evie has only come over in the evenings when Addie is down to bed or when she’s spending time with Ms. Wilma. Ms. Wilma definitely knows what’s been going on with me and Evie so she’s offered to take Addie frequently. My nanny might be the best wingman anyone’s ever had.

Thankfully, everything from Addie’s Christmas program settled down well. We haven’t heard a whisper from her mom in months and I expect it’s going to stay that way. Lorraine ended up moving and transferring to a school in a different state. I don’t know all of the details, but I’m going to assume that her rental agreement with her niece probably ended pretty abruptly. I’m curious to know how she explained that all to her husband, but mercifully, that’s not my problem.

Evie decided months ago that as long as Addie takes the news well, she’s going to move in within the next month. She wants to give Addie time to acclimate to us being a couple before she fully integrates herself into our lives. I genuinely hate that idea, but obviously it’s the best. I wanted Evie fully integrated into our lives last year, but I’m glad she’s sensitive to Addie.

She also told me that once she moves in, she wants to rent the cottage out to Thea. She mentioned something about Thea really disliking her current place and wanting a place of her own. I insisted we gift the cottage to her. She’s an incredible friend to Evie and it’s the least I could do to thank her. Evie didn’t pull my arm too much on that one.

“Yeah, they’re all ready. Why are you acting so weird about breakfast? And why was a huge bouquet of flowers delivered?” The growth and perception this girl gained in one school year blows me away. It kills me how quickly kids grow.

“I have a guest coming for breakfast this morning.” I have the biggest smile on and I thought Addie would be excited too, but she’s sitting at the kitchen island with her bowl of cut strawberries looking at me like all her fruit is rotten.

“What’s wrong, bug?” I’m across the island from her now reaching to hold her hands and she grabs them back.

“Is the person coming from breakfast a girl and that’s why there are flowers?” She seems so upset at the prospect of a woman joining us for breakfast and it makes me nervous that this might be something she doesn’t want in her life. I just assumed that since she loves Evie so much, she would be excited about it.

“It is a girl, is that okay? How do you feel about that?”

She stares off into the kitchen for a good minute and I’m about to text Evie that we’re going to have to rethink this. I can’t imagine a world where this works without my daughter’s approval. “I don’t know. I don’t really want a girl coming over. I want Ms. Jake to come over.”

I almost bust out laughing, but she trusted me with her feelings so I need to be careful. “Hey bug, well I have some good news for you then because the girl coming is actually Ms. Jake.” She lights up immediately and it acts like a defibrillator on my heart.

“Really? Okay! Let’s get ready!” Adeline moves faster than I’ve ever seen her move to get everything ready for Evie. I decided breakfast this morning would be a waffle bar, so Addie and I put out everything we can think of for toppings.

She is very proud of her cut up strawberries as a topping. Our sides this morning are hashbrowns and sausages. I brewed coffee for myself and when Evie text me this morning about stopping at Driftwood to grab her iced coffee, I told her I could make her one just as well here at the house. She said it would be a true test of our relationship, so we’re about to make or break it over this iced coffee.

We’ve got everything set up right in time for Evie to pull up in her old car. I fully intend on replacing that one day, but baby steps. Addie runs out to greet Evie and this is how I imagine every day being. My girls are so happy and excited to see each other.

“Good morning, Ms. Jake.” I smirk at Evie as she makes her way up our porch with my daughter. I know exactly what it does to her when I call her that and I don’t plan on stopping any time soon.

“Good morning, Mr. Von. Thank you so much for having me.” I think I might love her calling me Mr. Von as much as she loves Ms. Jake. Hopefully it’s not Ms. Jake for much longer. “Wow, everything smells delicious, even from out here. That’s impressive.”

“Hopefully impressive enough to stick around.”

“Oh, I don’t think that will be a problem.”

We all make our plates and settle in at the dining table. Evie decorated her waffles in peaches, strawberries, and powdered sugar, and she didn’t shy away from helping herself to all the hashbrowns she wanted. The level of comfort she has in our home elates me.

I keep mine simple with blueberries and syrup, and Adeline has helped herself to her strawberries and some chocolate chips.

The conversation flows so organically. Filled with some of Addie’s favorite memories from second grade and all the games she plans on playing and adventures she wants to go on during summer vacation. Evie comments effortlessly on Addie’s school year and I love that I’ve found a woman to bring into Addie’s life who isn’t a stranger. She’s someone Addie already loves and adores. I’m just hoping she’ll love having her in our family as much as she loved having Evie as her teacher.

I decide it’s time we rip the band aid off. I’m feeling extremely antsy, in the best way. I look to Evie for confirmation that she’s ready for this. She enthusiastically nods and I’m grateful to be on the same page. “So hey, Ads. Ms. Jake and I have something we want to talk to you about.”

“Oh, no! Am I in trouble? But we’re not in school anymore.” Poor girl is absolutely panicked, which is silly because she almost never gets in trouble. Evie seems to be letting me take the reins on this, which I appreciate. I think Addie would do best hearing it from me.

“No, not at all. I’m sorry you thought that. I should’ve started my sentence better.” Her whole body relaxes at those words. “How would you feel about Ms. Jake being around our house more often and hanging out with us?” She doesn’t even take a second to consider before answering.