“What makes you think I’m sad?” I push my sunglasses into my hair and peer down at her from my seat on the Adirondack chair.
“’Cuz every time you look at me, you get tears in your eyes.” Everly blinks those baby-blue eyes at me, and my eyes start stinging again.
“Allergies,” I scoff and turn to wipe my eyes.
I only have two more days with Everly, and she’s a perceptive little thing because she’s right. I have been crying every time I look at her today. I’m sad my time with her is coming to an end. And the worst part is, I can’t even tell her that tomorrow is our last day together because then I would ruin her mom’s surprise.
Everly turns her attention back to the friendship bracelet she’s making, and I smile as she sticks her tongue out in concentration. Does this kid have any idea how much she’s done for me this summer? A few months ago, I was dreading walking into that boardroom to interview for a nanny position I didn’t want. I didn’t want to step foot in another office, and I wasn’t ready to start punching a proverbial clock again. But my sister was desperate, and I was running low on funds.
So I begrudgingly showed up.
Then I had one conversation with my little Sea Monster, and I was a goner. So much so, I would have been devastated if I didn’t get the job.
This little girl has brought me back to the land of the living in a way I never even imagined. Nothing in my life has been quite as fulfilling as being a part of Everly’s existence. It’s been an honor.
“Did you like our summer of ‘doing less,’ little Sea Monster?” I croak, my voice revealing my emotions more than I expected it to.
“Uh…obviously,” she replies with a flick of her wrist, and I have to bite my lip because she has been mimicking a lot of my mannerisms this summer and the narcissistic pride I feel when she acts like me is totally shameful.
“Why exactly?” I ask, wanting to make sure I suck as much Everly goodness out of her while I still can. “I mean…your parents had you in a lot of cool activities. Was there a reason you were excited to just chillax with me instead of doing all those activities with your friends?”
Everly looks up at me and wrinkles her nose. “I was in the car too much.”
“What do you mean?” I inquire with a laugh at that odd response.
“Between going to Mom’s and going to Dad’s and then back to Mom’s and then to gymnastics and then to swim team and then to school and back again. It just felt like I was staring at the back of my mom’s and dad’s heads all the time. And I like their faces. I especially like my dad’s when he’s just being normal.”
“What do you mean normal?” I ask, my chest aching at the thought of not seeing Max’s face anymore after I move out this weekend. So many damn emotions going on in my body today.
“I like Dad’s face when he’s just goofing around with me on the couch or asking me how I like my oatmeal. Or when he kisses me on the head before he leaves for work. Like just comfy stuff, you know?”
“Yeah…I think I do.” My smile is tender. “Do you miss going to any of your activities?”
“Sometimes,” she answers with a shrug. “I’ll probably go back and do some of the stuff because I kind of get tired of reading all the time. And imagination tennis is fun and all, but no offense, Cozy…you’re not as good at tennis as me, and I want to play someone who’s at my level.”
My belly shakes with the chortle that catches me completely off guard. “In my mind…I’m as good as the Williams sisters.”
“In my mind, you need some practice.” Everly giggles, and it makes me want to cry again. “So yeah, I think I want to go back to doing some stuff but just not all. I want to be medium busy.”
“Medium busy,” I repeat with a nod. “Sounds like a good balance.”
I try not to take it personally that an eleven-year-old might have a stronger grip on her mental health boundaries than I do.
“Yours is done!” Everly squeals and jumps up onto her feet to walk over to me. That tongue is sticking out again as she ties the bracelet in a knot around my wrist. She holds her wrist next to mine and smiles at our matching set. “Friends forever.”
“Friends forever,” I cry and then whoosh all the air out of her lungs when I yank her to my chest for a hug.
It’s too tight, it’s much too tight, but she’s still breathing, so she can take it. This child is one of a kind, and I will never forget how special she is.
My phone rings just as Everly begins gasping for breath. “You really like friendship bracelets!” she exclaims with a laugh. “I’m going to make Dad one now.”
She goes back to her work area as I glance down at my phone to see an unknown number. This might be the guy whose house I’m trying to rent, so I better answer it.
“I’m going to take this call, Everly.”
“Okay.” She waves me off.
“Hello?” I stand and walk over to my deck on the tiny house so Everly doesn’t overhear anything about me moving.
“Cassie?” a familiar female voice echoes through the line.
“Paisley?” My throat feels tight.
“You recognized my voice,” she says with a sigh. “I’m impressed.”
My brow is furrowed as a chill shoots up my spine. “How did you get my number?” I inquire because Paisley only ever had my work cell phone number, and my cell is still boxed up in storage somewhere.
She clears her throat nervously. “Um…I got it from Max Fletcher.”
“Max?” I repeat, my pulse increasing instantly at the mention of his name. “When?”
“A few days ago. He was here at the office for a meeting.”
“Was he?” I state knowingly, my lips pursing in disappointment. Clearly, Max is still going through with the merger, and that thought sends a shiver of sadness through my body. I know I told him not to make any business decisions for me, but deep down, I wanted him to care about me enough to kill the merger. I know that makes me a hypocrite because he told me he loved me, and I pushed him away…but I guess I’m a fool in the name of love.
If I needed a sign to know that there’s no chance with Max and me, then this is it.
Paisley’s voice interrupts my thoughts. “He cornered me in my cubicle and went off on me about everything that happened.”
“Did something happen with the merger?” I ask, wondering if Max’s actions toward Jenson put the deal in jeopardy.
“No…he went off on me about you.”
Chills climb over my scalp. “What about me?”
“He mentioned your…stroke,” Paisley replies, her voice tremoring on the end as she rushes out, “Cassie, I had no idea you had a fucking stroke. My God, I was sick when Max told me. Jenson told everyone at the office that it was an anxiety attack, and we were the ones who triggered you, and we should leave you the fuck alone.”
My eyes fill with tears. “Are you kidding me?”
“No! He legit threatened our jobs if he found out about any of us contacting you. I felt like a monster over how protective Jenson was being of you. I had no idea he was lying.”