Page 62 of Worth the Want

“That’s my girl.” She giggles at him, kissing his face.

We walk around the grounds for a while. I get my cotton candy, and we watch Hazel play some games. I try to get a hold of my heart when Knox throws a tennis ball at some milk bottles, winning her a giant dinosaur with a tutu that’s bigger than she is.

“Can you keep an eye on her while I throw this away real quick? I think I saw a trash bin just around the corner.” On the outside, this seems like such a small thing, but I know differently. Hazel is Knox’s entire universe, and he’s trusting me to keep her safe. Even if it’s only for two minutes.

“Of course! We’ll be just fine.”

“Indie, look at her!” She holds the green dinosaur up for me to get a good look.

“Oh my goodness. That’s the biggest dinosaur I’ve ever seen, and she’s beautiful. What are you going to name her?” I ask her, squatting down to see her better.

She looks at the dinosaur, smiling so big her eyes are squinting, then back to me. “Greenie!”

“Greenie? That’s the perfect name for her because of her green scales!”

“I like her skirt.”

“Did you know that’s called a tutu when you’re a ballerina?” I ask her.

“I want to be a balletina!”

“You do? I bet there are some classes you could take. Would you like that?”

“Yes!” she shouts, hugging me and knocking me off balance, so I fall backward. I laugh as my back hits the ground with Hazel on top of me.

“What’s going on here?” I hear Knox’s deep drawl from above us. I rise into a sitting position and then stand with Hazel and Greenie in my arms.

“We named our beloved dinosaur.”

“It’s Greenie, and I want to do dance!”

“You want to do dance? What does that mean?” Knox asks her, slightly amused.

“She said she wanted to be a ballerina, so I said maybe there was a class or something,” I say, shrugging.

“I’m not sure if that fits into our schedule.” Oh.DoIfit into their schedule?

“I could help out, maybe take her or something?” I offer, hoping to understand his mood change.

“Maybe. We’ll see what happens.”Okay? Maybe I’ve gotten a little too comfortable.

“Hello! Oh my word, Hazey! What do we have here?” I file that response away, turning to see Florence walking over to us.

“It’s Greenie, Andy Lo!”

“That’s perfect! Greenie is bigger than you!”

“I know!” Hazel shouts back excitedly.

“Hi, Indie. How are you? My brother being nice to you?” I can’t stop my blush in response.If by making out like we’re horny teenagers, letting me hump him in the lake, and then washing my hair after sharing one of my most intimate moments is nice? Then yes, Knox has beenverynice.

“Am I being nice to you, Indie?” Knox gives me a knowing grin, echoing my thoughts.

“I was wondering if you could stop by the hotel in a couple of weeks to work on the website with me.”

“Absolutely. Just say when.”

“Perfect, I’ll text you. I’m heading over to a friend’s. Someone left a note on my car after work, and I’m not sure what it meant, but I don’t want to be out, and I don’t want to be at home tonight.”