Page 48 of Five
“It’s not you, sweetheart,” Oliver says. The endearment surprises me, but I like it. “Jesse has nothing against you, I promise.”
“He just has some things he needs to work out,” Remi adds
“I’m just not looking to be a point of contention between anyone. I don’t want to cause difficulties—“
My phone chirps at that moment and with a grimace, I break off to pull it from the pocket of my dress and glance at it. It’s a text from another parent, asking about how they are supposed to work with the daycare closed. I can’t win. A few days ago they were leaving in droves, complaining about the risks.
“What is it?” Oliver asks, noticing the added tension in the set of my mouth as I set the phone face down on the table.
“Just another angry parent. I had to close the daycare because it wasn’t safe, but many of them are very upset with me for that.”
“I’m sorry that you had to close your business, but hopefully it’s only temporary,” he says.
“It was the right thing to do. I can handle it.”
For several minutes the only sounds are silverware against the plates and glasses against the table. I look up at the assembled group from beneath my brows, to find Oz’s gaze resting steady on me from the other end of the table. He sends me a wink, and I cross my legs beneath the tablecloth.
Since when is a wink sexy?
Cope laughs softly, and I glance over to find the corner of his mouth tipped up in a smirk. “Mm.” He clears his throat. “I have big plans for you, Neve. Hope you like the water.”
“Why don’t we give her a chance to get settled before we start wearing her out?” Oscar says, voice dry.
The phone chirps again.
Remi sets his glass down with a quiet thunk against the table. “You didn’t know, but we have a no phones at dinner policy here, Neve.”
I feel heat spread across my chest and up my face. “Oh! I’m so sorry. It’s just always on me, or close by. I like to be connected to the daycare in case something goes wrong or someone needs me.”
Remi and Oz exchange a look, and Oz gives a slight nod. “You won’t need it here, fortunately.”
What?I frown. I’m not giving up my phone. I open my mouth to object but he continues. “You need a break from that thing. The daycare is closed, all of the notices have gone out, and anyone contacting you at this point only wants to yell at you or fuck with you. Give it to me.”
Oscar holds a hand out.
“I’m not giving you my phone,” I protest.
He watches me, implacable. Unrelenting. “I’m going to need it tomorrow, anyway… I need to give it to forensics to see if we can get any information on the number the texts are coming from.”
My fingers tighten on the phone, my last lifeline to Caroline or help if I need it. “How will I get in touch with Caroline?” I ask. “Or be available if my parents need me?”
“I promise, Neve. If anything important comes through, I’ll tell you, and you can use any of our phones to contact Caroline whenever you need to.”
I don’t have another argument. Reluctantly, I pass the phone to him, pausing to pull my hand back just before handing it off. “On one condition.”
He waits.
“I’ll keep my phone in my room, on my charger. I’m a big girl, and fully capable of managing my own phone time.” I hold his gaze with my own.
After a moment, Oscar nods. “Fair enough.”
The rest of the dinner passes without incident, and I’m grateful for the time to get to know Remi, Oliver, and Cope a little better. Oz, too, although I feel like I’ve known him so much longer, already.
As we eat and talk, and I drink the wine Remi continues to pour, I find myself trying to categorize each man, isolate what it is that sets each apart.
Cope is funny and eager and a bit of a goofball, I can tell. He shies away from anything too deep or serious, but there’s something…the occasional flash of memory or emotion that he immediately stifles, maybe…that makes me think he has hidden depths.
Remi has a greater sense of gravitas about him, but the permanent twinkle underlying every look tells me he likely has a sly sense of humor. He tells me story after fascinating story about life on the island, both as a child and now, with his friends. “It’s unconventional,” he says, waving a hand to indicate our surroundings. “But it’s home and we love it.”