“Everything okay?” I asked quietly, not wanting the other kids to hear my question.
“Fine,” he clipped.
My gaze flicked to Violet. “Do you want to invite your friend over? She’s welcome.”
A muscle ticked in Luke’s cheek. “Like her parents would let her hang with me.”
His words lit an ache in my chest. Below the annoyance was hurt. Rejection. I got why Luke might give another parent pause with his black attire and scowls, but they only needed to get to know him a little to see the amazing heart beneath.
I glanced at Violet, who approached a man who shared her light hair and green eyes. He was a bit imposing. His expression wasn’t harsh per se, but it wasn’t overly warm either. And he was quite large, tallandbroad.
As an idea entered my mind, my heart began pounding against my ribs. I could do this. For Luke.
“Wait here a second.”
I was moving before my brain could stop me, heading toward Violet and the man I assumed was her father. Each step made my heart hammer harder. By the time I reached them, my breaths were coming in pants, but I forced a smile to my lips.
“Hi, I’m Hallie,” I began.
The man’s expression didn’t warm, and Violet gave me a curious look.
“I’m the Hartleys’ nanny. I was wondering if Violet would like to come over to study. I was going to make cookies with Charlie while Drew and Luke did their homework, and Luke mentioned how helpful Violet has been with his science.” I smiled at her. “Luke said you are incredibly smart.”
Violet’s cheeks flushed, and she turned to the man. “Can I, Dad? We have a ton of homework tonight.”
The man’s expression softened a fraction as he looked at his daughter. The slight gentling had me breathing a little easier.
“I don’t know, pumpkin. We have family dinner, and—”
“We have family dinnereverynight,” Violet argued.
The man turned to me, assessing. The attention had a pins-and-needles sensation taking root in my fingers. He extended his hand. “I’m Thomas Hooper.”
The tingling intensified in my hands. I didn’t. I couldn’t. But when I thought about how much Luke needed a friend, I knew I had to. I forced my hand into Thomas’s. “Hallie Astor.”
The contact was only for a beat of three, but I nearly collapsed when Thomas released my hand.
He gave me a slightly puzzled look. “You’ll be with the kids the whole time?”
I nodded, not able to get my voice working again quite yet.
“And they’ll be in common areas, not a bedroom or basement?” Thomas pushed.
“Dad,” Violet said, her face flaming.
“We’ll all be in the living room and kitchen.” My voice sounded a bit raspy, but at least I’d managed words.
Thomas was silent for a moment as Violet and I waited.
“I’ll pick you up at five-forty-five. I don’t want you missing family dinner,” he said finally.
Violet beamed, and her whole face lit up. She threw herself at him for a hug. “Thank you!”
He chuckled as he patted her back. “I expect an A on that science assignment.”
She just rolled her eyes. “I always get an A.”
Thomas simply grinned.
