“Is…everything okay?”
“So with the littles in the bunk room, Miles in Sebastian’s room, Seren at camp, and the babes unable to speak, we’re basically alone?”
“Uh, yeah. I guess so.”
I didn’t think it was possible, but Tabby’s smile grows three sizes, then she places a hand to hold her baby to her and scurries across the room. Once she’s seated next to Bella, they both prop their chins in their hands and stare at me expectantly.
“Can I get you a drink?” I’m so out of my element here. I don’t play hostess. I don’t do girls’ nights, and I live alone for a reason. I have no idea how this is supposed to go.
Tabby makes a show of checking her watch. “Nope. Not five yet. But if we’re still here at five we’ll share a bottle of wine with you.”
My gaze immediately whips to the clock above the oven. It’s just after one. Are they seriously planning to be here for four hours?
“Take a breath, Row.” Bella should be the yoga instructor instead of Leo. Her voice could calm most people with simple words, but I’m a tornado touching down.
I can’t entertain these women for four hours.
“Um, will you excuse me for one minute?” The panic must be showing on my face because they nod sympathetically.
I scramble up the stairs to my room, where Sebastian wrote down his number, and I dial it. Well, I try to. My fingers are shaking harder than a freaking leaf on a gusty day and instead of the number six, I press the number nine, three times in a row.
Finally, I get the number correct, and it rings four times before he picks up.
“Sebastian Walker.”
That’s how he answers the phone? Rude.
“It’s me,” I squeak.
“Rowan? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing really. The kids are fine. They’re good. Actually, they’re great. Pappy’s taking a nap on the porch, and Seren walked over to the music room at camp, so everyone’s accounted for.”
“That’s good. So tell me why you sound as though you’re about to hyperventilate.” Damn him for using that commanding tone my body wants so badly to heed.
Sticking my head out of my room, I look up and down the hallway, then quickly shut the door.
“Tabby and Bella are here.”
There’s a long pause as if he didn’t hear me.
“Yes,” he says slowly. “They said something about a playdate when they picked up Ruby.”
He knew they were coming and didn’t warn me? Double rude.
“But it’s not just a playdate for the kids. Miles is in your bed, Seren is at camp, Kade and Ruby are in the bunk room, probably tearing it apart, and the babies don’t play. So it’s me, Tabby, and Bella. And they want to…hang out,” I hiss. “They said if they’re still here at five o’clock they’ll share a bottle of wine with me. Five o’clock. That’s four freaking hours. How the hell am I supposed to entertain them on my own for four whole hours?”I’m aware that my words are pitching higher and gaining speed with each passing second, but fuck me if I can control it.
“I’ll be right back,” Sebastian whispers, but he isn’t speaking to me, so I press my lips into a tight, thin line. Then I hear a door close and the chatter that was coming from his end ceases. “Row, when’s the last time you had a girlfriend?”
“I don’t have girlfriends.”
Another long pause.
“Ever?”
Good grief, guy. Don’t pity me now. Not having friends is the least sad thing about my life.
“I mean, I have Lottie, but we don’t really hang out. Not even in college.” Though not because she didn’t try. “She lives in Tennessee and I…don’t. But I watch TV. Mostly reruns ofGilmore GirlsandFriendsand sometimesThe New Girl, and when they host, they put shit out. Like snacks, and I don’t know, games or something. I’m a Cheese Whiz kind of girl, Seb. Cheese Whiz. Out of a can. I can’t go around giving them hits of Cheese Whiz.”
