“What’s the number?”
She brings three of her fingers up and then says, “Three,” proudly. “Just like my age.”
“You’re so smart.”
He nuzzles her nose as his hand rests on her back, and when he closes his eyes, I can’t help but smile. He looks so utterly at peace.
For the last few days, I was so worried that my worst fears would come true. That Jamie’s father would offer him everything and he’d accept it. Then it would just be me and Ella, and I’d have to explain to her why Jamie suddenly entered her life, only to leave it again.
But he stayed true to his word.
Ella wraps her arms around his neck. “We watchedIced Outwithout you.”
Jamie opens his mouth in mock shock. “What? You can’t be serious?”
She nods.
Jamie takes me in and shakes his head. “Guess we’re going to have to watch it again tomorrow to make up for it.”
Honey laughs softly, stepping closer to us as the crowd shifts around us. She reaches out, patting him on the back with an easy familiarity. Something that wouldn’t have been there last week.
I don’t know what happened at their fathers’ office, but I can sense a shift not just between them, but in the way they carry themselves.
“Did you get everything from Chris’s house?”
“Chris's?” I ask, confused.
“You didn’t tell her, did you?”
Jamie shakes his head but doesn’t take his eyes off Ella.
Honey turns to me. “Jamie checked out of his hotel before he left for Connecticut. He didn’t have anywhere to sleep last night, so Chris offered him the hockey house’s couch.”
My brows furrow. “Why didn’t you come home?”
“Is that what you're calling Zach's place? My home?” Jamie grins, hiding his amusement. “I think Zach would rather watch game film of his own interceptions than live with me.”
“Still. You should’ve told me.”
“Yeah,” he sighs. “It's just it was late, and I didn't want you worrying. Chris was picking up Honey anyway, and he offered.”
“Well, you're coming back with us tonight,” I say sternly.
“Yay! We're having a sleepover,” Ella chants.
“Thank goodness. I was not emotionally prepared to host him on my floor,” Honey says as she heads over to me and pulls me into a hug.
I hold her a second longer than usual, finally grasping how much of her life she rearranged for me. She took a job she hated, stayed in a place that forced her to face her ex every day, and turned her back on her family for me without ever asking for anything back.
“Thank you,” I whisper, even though it doesn't feel enough. I doubt it ever will. She’s handed me a life I could only dream of.
She pulls away, her hands still clutching my shoulders as she grins with pride. “Don’t thank me. I’m just so happy to see you living your best life, Tiff. That’s all you deserve.”
“You deserve that, too.”
Her eyes shift away from me to the ground as she takes a step back. “Yeah, well, now that I no longer have a job, I’ve got plenty of time to think about what’s next.” Even though she managed to stand up to her father, I still only hear sadness in her tone.
“And what do you think is next?” I ask, wanting her to know I’m here for her.