Page 38 of Forever Mine

“I’m halfway done and needed a break. Can you talk?”

Again, my focus shifted to Angel. “Yeah, I’m free now.”

“Have you worked out what we’re doing yet?”

His question tickled me, and I curled my feet on the sofa. “Somebody’s impatient.”

“Nope. I just like knowing what the plan is early.”

My voice dropped to the level of a whisper. “I was finding out if my friend can keep Angel.”

A few beats of silence settled between us before Scott spoke. “I still can't figure out why you wouldn’t bring her if we're going to the beach.”

“Um … I just didn’t plan to.”

Right then, I remembered he'd asked before and I'd given him the same answer.

He didn’t say anything for a few seconds, and I wasn’t sure what to make of his tone when he finally answered. “Okay.”

I'd forgotten Angel was within hearing range and remembered only when she moved. She closed her book, slid off the chair, and came to sit with me. I pulled my legs up to give her more space.

“Why is Auntie Rita keeping me and when it is?” she asked. “Can me and Renée have a party?”

My heart accelerated as I squeezed her hand. My aim was to get rid of Scott and give her my attention. “Just a minute, hon.”

“Is that Scott?”

Although I wanted to lie and say I was still talking to Rita, I nodded. Chances are, though, Angel heard the phone ring and knew I was on another call.

Her eyes shone as she asked, “Can I talk to him?”

“Um … ”

“Don't give her any excuses,” Scott said. “Let me talk to her.”

I frowned as if Scott could see me. “Who asked you anything?”

He laughed, while Angel looked at me with her mouth wide open. “Mommy, that's rude.”

“It's okay, honey,” I said, tapping her chin. “He's my friend and he doesn't mind.”

“I don't know about that.” Scott drawled and then chuckled. “You were very rude, like Angel said.”

“I beg to differ.” With a smirk in place, I added, “but that might not be such a great idea because she'll back you up on that.”

“Smart girl. If you think you should apologize then by all means … ”

I missed the rest of his words because Angel was now wriggling all her fingers for me to hand over the phone. Between the two of them, I felt like I was being backed into a corner. She didn't know of him being more than a friend and I didn't intend for them to meet, so I gave in to them.

“Just for a minute,” I said, handing her the phone, “and remember your manners.”

Angel pulled the phone from my hand and put it to her ear. “Hi, Scott. How are you?”

I studied my baby, noting how her features were changing as she grew and how confident she was speaking to someone she hadn't yet met in the flesh. I was proud of her. Not only was she mine, she was also a charmer. Angel got along with everybody and put people at ease the moment she met them.

As she chatted, my eyes went to the clock over the television. In a minute I’d stop her because it was getting close to her bed time. I was about to interrupt the conversation when she said, “I can’t wait to see you on Saturday.”