I shouldn’t be surprised that after just one ice cream date, she’s already comfortable with him. He makes it easy to be yourself. That’s why I never stopped loving him.
The door creaks open, and I pretend to just be walking past.
“Mom! I’m home,” Leia says.
Bennett steps inside with her, and we all stand awkwardly, unsure how this goes.
“What’s up, B?” Levi calls from the family room.
“Hey, Levi. Heading out tomorrow, right?”
Levi joins our uncomfortable little circle looking completely unfazed by the tension surrounding us. “Yeah, just soaking up some sister time.” He puts his arm around my neck and pulls me closer. “You two have fun?”
“Yeah, can we go again?” Leia asks. “Sprinkle Town is so good, and I want to try putting Oreos on my sundae next time.”
She seeks out Bennett, and the two of them share a smile—an inside tidbit that happened tonight, I guess. My heart squeezes because I’m not a part of it. As if Levi can sense it, he tightens his hold on my neck.
It’s good for her to have that. She never did with Sean. There are memories that should just be between a child and parent.
“And I need to try the cookie dough ice cream,” Bennett says.
“Moving up from vanilla, huh?” I ask, as if I’m part of the joke.
“Leia’s sundae convinced me that I might be missing out.” He winks, and she smiles.
Again, my heart pinches. “Well, let’s get you up to a bath, tell… say thank you,” I stumble over my words, unsure how to refer to Bennett. He is her dad, but it sounds weird saying it out loud to Leia.
“Thank you,” she says.
Bennett gets down on his haunches. “Could I have a hug? Only if you want to.” He holds out his arms.
Levi’s arm tightens across my shoulders. The weight of this feels too big, as if we shouldn’t be an audience, but I’d never be able to strip my gaze away.
“Yeah.” Leia steps into his arms.
They fold around her while she wraps her arms around his neck. Bennett’s eyes close, and his back rises and falls with deep breaths.
God, what have I done?
“Good night,” he says. “You’ll probably dream about swimming in sprinkles.”
Leia laughs. “Bye.”
Bennett lingers for a moment, stepping back and stopping a few times before his eyes find mine, and he nods. “Good luck, Levi.” Then he walks out the door, the screen door shutting behind him.
“So, sweetie”—I’m careful to keep my voice light—“you have fun?”
She nods, pulling her braid over her shoulder. “Yeah, the sundaes are huge.”
I smile. “That’s what makes it the best.”
She walks into the family room, looking at Bennett through the window. I’m buzzing with nerves, but I don’t want to crowd her.
“How was it?” I ask softly. “Being with him?”
She shrugs. Not in a dismissive way, but rather thoughtful. “He asked me how I felt about him being my dad.”
I pause, sitting in the chair. Levi takes the couch next to her. “Yeah?”
