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“I can do that.” She held up her hand and extended her pinky. “I pinky-promise.” This was our tradition when she wanted to show me she was all in.
I linked my pinky with hers and we shook on it.
“And your dad can communicate with me if there’s a particularly bad night so I know before you get to school the next day.”
Zoey let out a sigh.
“Everything okay, kiddo?”
“Yeah, talking about this wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.”
I kissed the top of her head and wondered if I should push the individual and group counseling I’d talked to Zoey about when Heather first died.
“It usually isn’t,” Wren responded. “Is there anything you want to share with us, Zoey, before we wrap this up?”
She pursed her lips and tilted her head, lost in thought. “Is it okay for me to talk to you when I feel sad, Ms. Winter?”
“You can always talk to me.” She smiled. I loved knowing Zoey had Wren in her corner. “I also need to mention to you that if I’m worried about something, I’ll share what we discussed with your dad.”
Zoey shrugged. “Okay.”
“And you always have the guidance counselor here to talk to too. She’s a personal friend, and I think you’d like her.”
“I’ll think about it.” My stubborn mini-me still wasn’t convinced. I’d give her a little more time, but if I needed to, I’d go against her wishes and set up time with the counselor Heather’s doctor had recommended for the children of grieving families.
“Do you have anything else you want to tell us?” I asked.
“No, I’m good. Can we get going? I'm hungry.”
I stood and set my daughter on her feet. “Why don’t you grab your things?”
As Zoey rushed off, I moved closer to the table and looked Wren in the eye. “Thank you for today.”
“Zoey is an amazing little girl. I’ll always be here for her.” I was beginning to learn Wren wore her heart on her sleeve. She cared deeply for the children she taught, and I had no doubt she held a special place in her heart for Zo.
“I’m ready, Daddy.” Zoey skidded to a stop next to me.
“Can we walk you out, Ms. Winter?” I asked. It was getting late, and the sun had set at least an hour ago.
“You don’t need to do that.”
“Yes, we do. We can wait a few minutes while you gather your things.” A protective feeling washed over me. Logically I recognized she’d been walking to her car in the dark by herself for years. But the side that needed to keep her safe demanded I do this.
“Okay, then I accept. I just need a minute to grab my things.”
After she locked up her classroom, we walked down the hall side by side. When Zoey’s hand slipped into mine, I noticed she’d done the same with Wren. My heart lurched at how good it felt to be together like this.
My daughter’s apparent joy at being with Wren was shown in the smile on her face and the skip in her step. It reinforced my decision to follow Wren’s suggestion of a quiet hookup. If things didn’t work out between us, Zoey would be devastated, and I wanted to avoid that at all costs.
Chapter Fourteen
WREN
So much for a sexcapade. This was how we’d been in touch all week, and it definitely wasn’t in person. My phone buzzed in my hand as I settled deeper into my couch and sipped on a glass of white wine. I’d just finished sending an email to a parent thanking them for helping out in the class this week. And now I was ready to put work aside and relax.
Beckett
Zoey will be in bed soon. I’m sorry we had to miss tonight.