Page 79 of Love Unwritten
He shoots Ellie an exasperated look. “I told you he wasn’t paying attention.”
I sit up in my chair with a wince. “Sorry. I got lost in my head a bit.”
“Sounds scary,” Ellie jokes, effectively cutting the tension.
I glance over at her, but she is quick to avert her gaze, giving me a side view of her profile and the flower tucked behind her ear.
On our way to dinner, Nico handpicked the flower for her, and the pink petals stand out against her blond hair. I’m pretty sure Nico learned the slick move from one of my aunt’s favorite telenovelas, and it earned him a radiant smile from Ellie.
¿Si, mijo?: Yes, son?
¿De qué?: About what?
¿Qué piensas?: What are you thinking?
For a fleeting second, he made me wish I had thought of the idea first.
I turn to my son. “What were you trying to ask me?”
Nico shrugs while looking down at his plate. “It was dumb.”
“I told you no question is a stupid one so long as you’re brave enough to ask it.”
“I said the same thing.” Ellie takes a sip of her drink.
Nico shoves his food around with the tip of his fork. “I was wondering why you like saving animals.”
His question is innocent and one that he hasn’t asked me before, so I’m taken aback by it.
A ball of tightness grows in my throat. “What brought on that question?”
“Have you not noticed the chickens walking around throughout dinner?” Ellie asks.
Seeing as I was a bit distracted by her, no.
“Oh, right,” I say instead. “The chickens. Who could’ve missed them?”
She spares me a knowing look that I ignore.
“I told you it was a dumb question,” Nico grumbles to himself.
I reach over and uncurl his fist. “It’s a good one, but I won’t answer it if you keep talking like that.”
He looks up. “Really?”
“Yup.”
“Okay. Sorry.”
A swell of panic builds in my chest, but I do my best to shield it…and I think I do until Nico’s eyes flash with concern.
“It’s okay if you don’t want to answer.”
I take a deep breath and begin. “You know I love animals.”
He nods with enthusiasm.
“I may not have chickens—”