Page 27

Five years old and already too smart for her own good. Or my good. Definitely not good for my dignity.

The elementary school came into view, saving me from further interrogation. Noa immediately perked up, spotting her friends on the playground. She tried to bolt, but I caught her shoulder.

“Backpack.”

“But Dad…”

“You can’t leave it in my truck all day.”

She sighed dramatically, accepting the apparently unbearable weight of three pounds of school supplies. “Fine. But if my back breaks, you have to carry me everywhere forever.”

“Deal.”

She grinned, adjusted her crown, and took approximately two steps before my sister intercepted us.

“Well, well. If it isn’t my chronically late brother.” Rose stood in the doorway wearing her teacher clothes: cardigan, sensible flats, and an expression that promised she was about to make my life difficult. “And Princess Noa, rocking another fashion-forward ensemble.”

Noa did a twirl, showing off today’s outfit: purple leggings, an orange tutu over them, rainbow colored rain boots despite the clear sky, and a t-shirt featuring a cat riding a dinosaur. The crown really tied it all together. She loved these types of outfits, and she was right. They looked damn cute.

“I dressed myself!”

“I can tell.” Rose’s smile was fond, but when she turned to me, it shifted into something I recognized from years of sibling torture. “So. Noa’s been telling the class about your new neighbor during sharing time.”

My stomach dropped. “Has she.”

“Oh yes. Apparently Sam is ‘really pretty’ and ‘doesn’t have a husband anymore’ and, this is my personal favorite…’makes my dad act weird.’“

Fucking hell. I could not breathe around my daughter without her airing all of my business to everyone who’d listen. She was a menace. “I don’t act weird.”

“You’re acting weird right now.”

“This is how I always act.”

“No, this is how you act when you’re embarrassed. Your ears are doing the thing.”

“What is it with you people and my ears?”

Rose’s grin widened. “Is she pretty?”

“I need to go to work.”

“Oh my god, she IS. You’re blushing. Tyson Michael Calloway, you’re actually blushing over a woman.”

“I’m leaving.”

“It’s been almost five years!” she called after me as I retreated. “Noa likes her! Maybe stop being a stubborn idiot and actually talk to her!”

“I have talked to her,” I shot back, immediately regretting engaging.

“About what? Plumbing?”

I didn’t answer because yes, it had mostly been about plumbing. And her disaster of a house. And her lack of functioning appliances. Not exactly the foundation of a great romance.

“Bye Daddy!” Noa yelled, already halfway to the jungle gym. “Don’t forget about pancakes! With pretty neighbor Sam!”

Every parent in the pickup line turned to stare. I considered moving to a different state. Maybe a different country that doesn’t speak English. Somewhere Noa couldn’t announce my personal business to crowds of amused adults.

***