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CHAPTER 33

NOAH

“Why are you smiling so big? Are you sick?” Evie leaned forward and examined me with big, suspicious eyes. “Kevin from my class couldn’t stop laughing when he was sick. I thought it was weird, but I overheard Mrs. Yates say that’s because he was delu—delirious with fever.” She corrected herself and pronounced the right word with careful enunciation. “The school called his parents, and they got in trouble for sending him to class when he was so sick.”

I laughed. “I’m not sick or delirious. I’m excited to go to the zoo. That’s all.”

It was the morning after Samson’s party. I’d promised Evie weeks ago that we’d have a zoo day with Carina and Briana if she got top marks on her maths test. She’d aced it.

We were almost ready to leave. I was just waiting for Evie to finish breakfast and for Carina to get ready. She hadn’t come downstairs yet, but the anticipation of seeing her had replaced my hunger. I’d only eaten so Evie wouldn’t get suspicious, though apparently my smile had given me away regardless.

“But you hate the zoo,” she said. “You said there’s always too many people and most of them don’t know how to manage their children.”

“I changed my mind.”

“So you like people now?”

I mock frowned at her mischievous tone. “Very funny. Since when did you get so sassy, hmm?” I reached across the table to ruffle her hair.

She ducked out of the way with a squeal, but she wasn’t fast enough. “I’m kidding! I’m kidding! Dad!”

I laughed again as she patted the top of her head, trying to tame the flyaways. My limbs were loose and relaxed, and the kitchen seemed extra bright today. The weather was beautiful—clear and sunny with blue skies and no chance of rain. Quite a feat for London. I wasn’t a superstitious person, but I took it as a good omen.

“What did you do with the An—with your grandparents last night?” I asked. I didn’t want to ruin the mood, but I was curious, and I was so buoyed from last night that bringing them up only put a small dent in my high spirits.

“We watched The Parent Trap. I tried to teach Grandma and Grandpa the new board game Uncle Adil bought me for Christmas, but I failed.” Evie took a giant bite of her toast, chewed, and swallowed before adding, “How was your party? Did you see any famous people?”

“Besides the other footballers?”

“They don’t count. I mean real famous people.” She giggled when I clutched my chest in dramatic fashion.

“I won’t tell the guys that. They’re a sensitive bunch. But no, no real famous people. Only fake famous people. And I had…fun.” I stumbled over the last word. I hoped Evie didn’t notice the heat crawling across my face.

I hadn’t been this flustered since I lost my virginity during my senior year of high school. I felt like a schoolboy again, but last night had been the first time in over a decade that I’d allowed myself to go after what I really wanted and live in the moment. No agonizing over what-ifs and consequences. The freedom was exhilarating.

I was sure the consequences were waiting patiently to bite me in the ass, but I’d deal with them when they came. Right now, I just wanted to enjoy the high while it lasted.

One perfect day with Evie and Carina (and Evie’s friend). That was all I asked for.

“Yay!” Evie beamed. She seemed oddly invested in my party experience. “You should attend more parties. You frown a lot, so I’m glad you’re not doing that anymore.”

I paused, my amusement fading. I didn’t think she’d notice my habitual surliness—I always made an effort to put on a cheerful face around her—but I should’ve known she would. She was scarily observant for her age.

“Does it make you upset when I frown a lot?” I asked, keeping my tone light. “Besides the possibility of my expression freezing that way, I mean.”

Evie bit her lip. “No.” She dragged the word out with a trace of hesitation. “But it makes me happy to see you happy.”

My chest pinched. Nothing could destroy you like a simple comment from your kid. Every time I thought Evie couldn’t surprise me more, she went and proved me wrong. How had I gotten so damn lucky with her?

“Briana also read online that it’s important for parents to have ‘robust social lives,’” Evie added. “She said it helps them model independence for their children.”

Wait a minute.

My eyes narrowed at her overly innocent expression. “I see. And by ‘independence,’ do you mean more sleepovers at your friends’ houses?”

Briana was the only person whose house I let Evie stay at. She lived with her mother, a single parent who worked as a top executive at a paper company. I knew Mrs. Kane well, and I trusted her. I couldn’t say the same for the parents of Evie’s other friends, which was why she wasn’t allowed to sleep over at their houses, no matter how much she begged and pleaded.

Evie blinked up at me, guileless as a baby fawn. “No.”