Page 66 of Ice Cold Hearts
“Au contraire, mon ami, she’s been dropping hints to you since the zoo. I’ve been getting them since our first date,” I pretend to grumble.
“I do love that you’re learning French for me,” Alexei says softly. “That was the best surprise I’ve had in a while.”
I smile. “You big softie.”
“Just go get Oliver already,” he orders gruffly.
After we hang up, I give Hank the new plans. On the circuitous route there, Hank and I are treated to a spirited description of everything she’s done today.
“And then, Teacher read us the Three Little Pigs story. And then we builded a tiny hay house. And then we went out and got sticks to make our stick houses. And then Teacher gave us teeny tiny little bricks and we builded a brick house. And do you know what we did next?” She asks, awestruck.
“What?” Hank and I ask.
“Teacher had a stodian bring in the big fan he uses to dry the floor to be the big bad wolf and try to blow the houses down!” she squeals.
“Stodian?” Hank asks.
“Custodian,” I answer.
“Ah, got it,” he says. “So, what happened to houses, Little Miss?”
Audrey wiggles with delight. “The paper houses and the stick houses falled down.”
“No way,” I say in disbelief. “What about the brick houses?”
“They stayed up just like in the story,” she says. “Can I call my giants and tell them?”
Thank goodness for one easy thing today.
“You can’t call them today, Pumpkin.”
“But I…” She starts to pout.
“Because we’re going to have another sleepover with them tonight,” I announce.
“Mama, you tricked me!” She wiggles happily in her seat. “You’re so silly.”
She’s in such a good mood over the news, she skips all the way into Liza’s shared office space.
“Hello, ladies,” the receptionist greets. “Do you have an appointment?”
“No,” I reply. “I’m actually just here to pick up Oliver. Would you mind calling back for him, please?”
She nods. “Of course.”
After her short call to Liza’s office, I hear footsteps in the hallway. My face visibly falls when I see Liza stalking into the lobby. Her eyes immediately lock onto Audrey, and I brace myself for the worst.
“Well, aren’t you just as cute as a button?” she coos, completely ignoring me. “That picture I saw today just didn’t do you justice. You are the prettiest little girl I ever did see.”
“Thank you, Ms. Lady.” Audrey smiles. “I like your pointy shoes.”
“Oh, my gosh, those dimples,” she gushes, eyes glittering like a beetle. “I knew you reminded me of someone when I saw you, and I think I’ve got it now. You’re nearly the spitting image of Ollie’s youngest sister when she was that age.” My stomach twists as she meets my eyes. “The resemblance is just uncanny.”
Fuck, she knows.
She turns toward her receptionist and says, “Phyllis, I have been inspired. Can you just jot this down so I don't forget? I want to do a throwback campaign on his socials. Put down that I need to get photos of him by himself and then him with all of his siblings as kids so I can do a big then and now. Last thing, write down that I need to get some then and now quotes about him from people he knows.”
It's terrifying how good she is. She won't even be risking her job outing me. All she'll have to do is put the photos out there, and someone in the media will make the connection—with her help, I'm sure.