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“We should eat before they get cold,” Ollie says.
“Yes, sir.”
He groans. “Don’t start that.”
“What?” I bat my eyes, acting all innocent. “What are you talking about?”
His gaze lingers on me, a mix of playfulness and something a little darker flickering in his eyes. “You know exactly what you’re doing.”
The way he says it sends a flutter through my stomach, making me press my thighs together under the table. Maybe breakfast isn’t the only thing on the menu this late morning.
Before I can push the teasing any further, my phone starts vibrating on the table. Ollie’s eyes flick to the screen and then back to me. “You going to get that?”
My thumb hovers briefly over the screen before I swipe to answer and put the call on speaker. “Hi, Mom. You’re speaking to both me and Ollie.”
“I was beginning to think you had fallen off the face of the earth,” she says as a greeting. “Another day of silence and I was ready to start calling hospitals.”
“I've been busy, that's all,” I reply with a small laugh.
“Is Ollie keeping you that busy that you can’t spare a moment for your parents? Or are you just choosing to spend every waking minute with that very handsome man?”
Across the table, Ollie glances up from his coffee with an arched eyebrow. “Mom,” I warn, heat creeping into my cheeks.
“What? I’m just stating facts. Your father and I have met him. We both agreed he’s very easy on the eyes.”
My dad’s voice cuts in. “I said he seemed like a solid young man, nothing about his looks.”
“And he’s clearly charming if our daughter has forgotten she owns a phone.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose while Ollie’s shoulders start shaking with laughter across from me. I kick his foot under the table, making him chuckle harder.
“How are you two doing?” I ask, ignoring Mom’s comment.
“We’re fine, but we miss you so much. When are you coming home? Summer’s almost over, and we think it might be time for you to come back.”
Ollie stops what he’s doing at the question. He’s trying to appear casual, but there’s tension in his shoulders now, waiting for my answer.
“Actually,” I start slowly, “a lot has happened here this week and my plans have changed.”
Mom immediately picks up on the shift in my voice. “What kind of a lot?”
“Well, I—” I stop and look at Ollie. He gives a small nod, signaling that I can share what happened with his sister. “Tilly’s mother, Livia, came back.”
“That’s wonderful news!” Mom exclaims. “Ollie must be thrilled.”
“Not exactly. She left again and stole everything she could carry. Ollie’s TV, electronics, guitars, records, emergency cash…it’s all gone.”
“Oh my God. Poor guy,” Mom whispers. “Did she leave the baby?”
“Yes. Tilly was left alone, but she’s fine now.”
“Did you call the police?” Dad wants to know.
I hum as an answer. “They came last night and took our statements for the report.”
Another pause settles over the line, heavier this time. Finally, Mom asks, “And how is Ollie handling all of this?”
“Mom, he’s right here,” I point out.
