Page 146 of With a Cherry On Top

“You too.” Josie studies her for a beat. “Thanks for looking after them.”

“I didn’t—” Charlotte cuts herself off. “You’re welcome.”

It’s quiet for a moment, until Sadie pulls at Josie’s sleeve. “Mom, are you staying?”

“If that’s okay with you.”

Sadie beams. “Can we watchBluey? Can I sleep with you tonight?” Without waiting for an answer, she grabs Josie’s hand and tugs her toward the couch. “You can see all my new drawings! And my new books! And I got a gold star at school last week?—”

Josie lets herself be pulled away, throwing one last look over her shoulder before disappearing into the house.

“Well,” Charlotte says as she takes a step forward. “That’s certainly something.”

“You okay?” I ask.

She lifts a shoulder. “Yeah. I’m just happy for Sadie.”

So am I.

She begins moving. “Guess I should go.”

“What? No.” I lace my fingers with hers. “They need time together. We can both go.”

“No, youallneed time together. As a family.”

As if on cue, Sadie calls my name. I guess Charlotte is right. Sadie needs to see that things are okay between her parents too. That we’re still a family, albeit not the one she’s used to.

“It’s okay.” She squeezes my hand. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

She steps away, but just as her fingers slip from mine, I tug her back to me. “Please, don’t go.”

Her eyes fill with something as sweet as sugar. “Aaron...”

“Please. I need you here, and more importantly, I want you here. You’re part of my family too.”

When she hesitates, Sadie turns to us over the couch. “Charlotte?”

“Yes, sweetie?”

“Didn’t I tell you that you and my mom look the same?”

Oh, for fuck’s sake.

Charlotte tilts her head at me, her bottom lip trapped between her teeth. “You think so?” she asks before entering the house again. “I really don’t see it.”

CHAPTER 29

Soft Serve Conversations

You,” Amelie says the second she opens the door to her apartment, “are going to love this.”

“I am?” I ask, shutting the door behind me and toeing off my shoes.

She’s already strutting toward the kitchen. “Ooh, yes. Yes, you absolutely will.”

The kitchen lights glow warm, reflecting off the polished countertops. Several pots simmer on the stove, the air thick with sugar and something fruity.

“Don’t worry, I didn’t start without you—just prepping.”