Page 135 of Safe With You

I smiled before I could stop myself.

I don’t know what you’re talking about.

His response came almost immediately.

She has drawn six dragons.

Another picture appeared.

This one showed the drawings lined up across the floor, Mila’s little brown hand visible at the edge of the frame as she arranged them into some order only she understood.

I bit the inside of my cheek.

Sounds like an artist to me.

She informed me they’re illustrations.

Even better.

The typing bubble appeared.

Apparently she’s making a book now.

I laughed softly.

Mama stopped talking.

I looked up.

Both of my parents were staring at me.

“What?”

Daddy went back to his plate.

Mama didn’t.

“Who you talking to?”

“A friend.”

The answer came so easily I didn’t think much about it until it was already out.

Mama nodded once and reached for her tea. “All right.”

I looked down at the phone again.

Another message waited.

She’s asking if the bookstore takes submissions.

I laughed.

Tell her Chapter & Charm has a very selective acquisitions process.

She’s six.

Then she should’ve started building her platform sooner.