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“Don’t worry, no one is here.”

“Wait. You’re babysitting?” She crinkles her nose, accentuating the freckles that pepper her perfect ivory skin.

“Why is everyone so surprised by this? I am capable of taking care of my nieces.”

“I have no doubt. Just surprised you didn’t mention it.”

“It was a last-minute thing. Avery and Dalton decided they didn’t want to have to take the girls to Lyla’s parent-teacher conference, but my parents already had dinner plans.”

“I see. So is UncleWivergoing to jump on the trampoline with them?”

I laugh at her pronunciation of my name.

“I would, but I’d probably bounce them right out of the damn thing if I did. You want to say hi?” I ask, following after the girls,who are not so patiently waiting at the back door. “Girls, do you want to say hi to Charlotte?” I flip the phone around so they can see her.

“Hi,” they say in unison before Lyla takes over.

“We’re going to jump on the trampoline.”

“So I heard.” Charlotte’s voice is sweet as silk. “Do you like jumping on the trampoline?”

Lyla nods enthusiastically.

“What about you, Lacy?”

“Yep.” She pops the P, rocking back on her heels.

“Can we go now?” Lyla whines.

“Say bye to Charlotte.”

“Bye.” Both girls wave into the phone and when I flip it back around, I find Charlotte smiling widely.

“They are too cute.”

“I know, right. Too cute for their own good.”

“Come on, Uncle Wiver.” Lacy tugs at my shirt. My parents have taught them they don’t step foot outside without an adult, so neither tries to open the door, but they definitely aren’t happy that I’m making them wait.

“Okay. Okay.” I chuckle, opening the back door before ushering them both out. After helping Lacy onto the trampoline with her sister, I zip them inside and then move toward the back porch to sit on the bottom step where I have the perfect view of them.

“Sorry about that.” I turn my attention back to Char.

“No worries. How has your day been?”

“Stressful but good.”

“Wanna talk about it?”

“Not really. I’d rather you tell me about your day.”

“Not much to tell. I had class all morning and then I met Lyric for coffee earlier. She mentioned something about family weekend.”

“Yeah, she called me earlier.” I nod.

“Are you going to come?”

“Not sure it’s the best idea,” I admit. “I think I’d much rather skip it and spend the weekend just you and me.”