Page 25 of When We Were More (Aron Falls #1)

H enry

We finished the job at Tillie’s about three weeks ago, and every day since, she keeps popping into my head. I don’t have a reason to go to her house anymore, but I find myself wanting to. The few times I’ve seen her since aren’t enough.

I ignore that little voice in the back of my head warning me that the fact that I keep thinking about her isn’t good. She’s my friend. That’s all.

Matilda’s the one who made me realize I need to make some friends.

I guess in the worst case, I’ll have an excuse to go over after Christmas, since we’re going to start on the master bathroom remodel. Shit, Christmas is still almost two weeks away. I can’t wait that long.

Thinking about the timing of her remodel gets me thinking about cool ideas for it. She needs to decide on a design ASAP. I take a sip of my coffee, and I hear Layla’s little feet padding down the hallway. Then the bathroom door creaks open. That’s when a brilliant idea strikes me.

I pull out my phone. It’s eight-thirty a.m., Matilda should be awake. I think…

You up?

Matilda: I’m sorry, is that meant for me or your booty call?

Can’t you be both? ;) Just kidding. Don’t get mad. Are you free today?

Matilda: You are aware most booty calls don’t occur before 9 a.m. on a Sunday, right? And, yes, I might be free… Why?

Could you be at 25 River Run Dr. at 10 a.m.? No need to change your clothes, etc. Come as you are.

Matilda: Uh, yeah, that would be a problem. I’d get arrested for public indecency.

Well, now she’s got my mind imagining all kinds of things she might be wearing. Or, more accurately, what she might not be wearing.

Is it appropriate for friends to ask friends what they’re wearing?

Matilda: I’m gonna say no. Remind me why I need to be at that location at 10?

For your bathroom. To see a design idea.

Matilda: Hmmm. Okay. But I’m not taking a shower first, so don’t judge me.

See you at 10.

My sweet Layla climbs onto my lap and nestles up with me. I pull a blanket up over her. We’ll need to leave in a little while to get some things I need for Tillie’s visit, but I will definitely make time for this snuggle session.

After fifteen minutes, Layla is ready to get off my lap and start her day. I send her to get dressed while I wake up Lena. At almost two and a half, Lena is to the point where I’m thinking of converting her crib to a toddler bed. I’m not ready yet, though. Soon, but not now.

A few minutes later, we’re all in the car and headed to Ella’s Bakery. Hopefully, we’re early enough that she still has some of those chocolate bear claws left. I love those things.

When we get there, Layla immediately runs to the display case and takes in all the treats. She turns to me. She’s bouncing up and down with excitement.

“Daddy, can I get two?”

“Sure, ladybug. Do you remember my friend, Tillie?”

“ My friend, Daddy. Tillie is my friend. Of course, I remember her.”

“Well, she’s going to visit this morning to see what our bathroom looks like because she’s going to have hers fixed up. Like we fixed up her kitchen. Do you want to pick a few extra you think she might like?”

“Yes. I know exactly what she’ll like.” She walks over to the glass, her index finger on her lips as she peruses the options. She glances over her shoulder to look at me. “Can I get her two?”

I nod.

“What can I get you, handsome?” Ella asks.

“Ella, you look beautiful this morning, as always.” I smile at her. She may be old enough to be my grandmother, but she never fails to flirt with every man who comes in here. She loves Holden. He scores a lot of free donuts flirting back.

“Can you put together an assortment for us today? A sprinkle one for my little sunshine here,” I kiss Lena’s head, “whatever four my angel picks, a bear claw, then you pick the rest. Oh, but at least one that would qualify as a Danish, please.”

“You got it.” She winks at me.

A few minutes later, I put the girls back into the car, and we head for home. When we get there, Layla works on unbuckling herself while I get Lena out.

“Daddy, how long until Tillie comes? How many minutes?”

I glance at my watch. It’s nine-thirty.

“About a half hour, ladybug. You should go straighten up your bedroom in case she wants to see it.” We walk toward the house.

Her eyes get big. “Yuck. Maybe she doesn’t mind a messy bedroom. Is her bedroom messy?”

I laugh. “I haven’t seen Tillie’s bedroom. We aren’t that kind of friends.”

As soon as we’re inside, Layla rushes to her room to straighten up. Shit, I’m not sure if the bathroom I’m going to show her is clean enough. I keep Lena in my arms, and we go to check it out. It’s not perfect, but it’ll have to do.

Lena and I go to the kitchen, and I close the baby gate to prevent her from leaving the room.

I set about making a fresh pot of coffee and running the dishwasher after putting the last few dishes in.

When all is said and done, I still have ten minutes, so I swoop up Lena and carry her toward the laundry room.

“C’mon, baby girl. Let’s go throw a load of your stinky clothes in the wash.” I tickle her belly, and she giggles. I love the sound of any child laughing, but when they’re yours, it’s even sweeter.

As we get back to the living room, there’s a knock on the door. Layla must have heard it because she comes barreling toward us from the hallway that leads to the bedrooms.

“Can I answer, Daddy? Since you’re standing right here?”

I smile at her, happy that she knows the rule. She never answers the door. A grown-up always has to do it or tell her it’s okay.

“Yes, you can.”

I take a few steps back with Lena still in my arms, and Layla opens the front door. She’s beaming when she sees Tillie. Tillie looks down at her with a bright smile herself.

“Hi, Tillie. Welcome to our house.”

“Hello, Layla. Thank you very much for having me over.”

Layla steps back and makes a point of helping Tillie take off her coat. It’s almost comical, and she’s more of a hindrance than a help. Tillie looks at me, a brow lifted.

“I promise this is about your bathroom. Well, mostly.” Lena takes that moment to clap her hands together several times, drawing attention to herself. When Tillie looks at her, Lena grins, and clearly, she has achieved what she wanted.

“And who is this little lady?”

“Tillie, meet Lena..”

“Hi, Lena. God, they’re both beautiful, Henry.”

Lena reaches for Tillie, and I about piss my pants.

Even with my family, if Lena has a choice between anyone and me, it’s always me.

She’s one hundred percent a daddy’s girl.

A twinge of sadness hits me. She doesn’t have much of a choice, right?

Jeana left when she was so young. No wonder she’s focused on being near me all the time.

“May I?” Tillie looks up at me with uncertainty in her eyes.

“Yeah, of course.”

When Tillie lifts her arms, Lena doesn’t hesitate to go to her. She looks up at Tillie and puts her chubby little hands on Tillie’s face. Thank God this is pre-sprinkle donut and not after. Tillie takes it all in stride and smiles at my child.

“Tillie, we have a surprise for you. Do you want to come see my room while Daddy gets it ready?”

Tillie looks at me, and I nod. “I’ll get the surprise ready. How do you take your coffee?”

“Uh, some half and half or milk. Whatever you have.”

Seconds later, Layla is leading Tillie down the hall, and I do as Layla instructed and get the treats ready. A few minutes later, I have the bakery box and dishes at the table. There’s coffee for me and Tillie, and apple juice for the girls.

When they get back from checking out Layla’s room, I take Lena from Tillie and put her in her booster seat, handing her the sippy cup with her juice.

“I picked yours special, Tillie.” Layla opens the box and points to some very sugary-looking treats. I see Tillie bite her lower lip, but she takes one. I notice it’s the blueberry cake donut—the one that looks the least sugary.

I take the Danish out of the box and set it on the table in front of her. Her eyes widen.

“You don’t have to eat that one, Matilda. It’s mostly symbolic. Someone told me that friends have coffee and Danish together and that they know each other’s… What were your words? Immediate relatives? Oh, no, it was immediate family tree members, I think.”

She rolls her eyes at me, but she smiles along with it.

I pull out the sprinkle donut and cut it into small pieces for Lena.

“For my tummy,” she says cheerily. She has her eye on the donut, practically salivating.

“Yes, it’s yours.” When I finish cutting it, I set it in front of her, and she’s happy as a clam.

Meanwhile, Layla is already busy talking Tillie’s ear off.

When she stops for a few seconds to take a drink of her juice, I lean toward Tillie.

“I promise it’ll settle shortly, and we can talk toilets.

” Tillie brushes me off and continues to split her attention between the two girls, both of whom are vying for it in their own special ways.

I sit back and watch for a few minutes, and as I take it all in, I’m slightly anxious.

The way my girls react to her makes me worry they aren’t okay without their mom around, but it also makes me wonder if letting them meet Tillie—friend or not—in their home setting is going to end up to their detriment.

Hell, I hope not. I’m doing my best to navigate raising them, but I’m not perfect.

Eventually, I see Lena is wearing out and, though she’s still chatty, Layla is calming down as well. There’s finally a lull in her talking, and I take advantage of it.

“Okay, ladies. Here’s what I think we’ll do next. I’m gonna clean Lena up a little and lay her down for her nap. Layla, please take your dishes to the kitchen and wash your hands. When I get back from laying Lena down, I’ll set up a movie for you to watch while Tillie and I talk about work.”

I can see on her face that Layla wants to object, but then thinks better of it.

“Do you mind if I get more coffee?” Tillie asks.