Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 101524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 508(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 508(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Smiling, I listen to Nalia laugh.
“She’s going to sleep good tonight.”
“Alright,” Sophie says, gaining everyone’s attention as the girls all get up and run over to their coaches to tell the other team good game. “So, we’ll all head to lunch, then follow you home so that Zuri can pack her bag for tonight.”
“Or we can go to the house, Zuri can change and pack, then we can go to lunch,” Nalia says, then looks up at me. “Do you want to join us? I was telling everyone about Olive and Oregano and thought that we could have lunch there.”
“That works for me.”
“Perfect.” She smiles, then looks between her parents. “Do you guys want to come over to the house or just meet us at the restaurant?”
“We can meet you at the restaurant and get a table,” Nico says as Zuri runs up to us carrying a juice pouch and a bag of snacks.
“You did amazing.” Nalia lets me go and wraps her arms around Zuri, hugging her tight and kissing her forehead. “I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks.” She smiles at her, then falls against my side, and I wrap an arm around her.
“You did good, kid.”
“Did Coop win his game?” she asks, looking up at me.
“Not today.”
“Aww, that sucks.”
“It’s okay, he’ll be happy when you tell him you won yours.” I give her a squeeze before I let her go.
“Are you starving?” Sophie asks her as she opens her bag of chips after giving her, Nico and Bax a hug and not even hesitating to give Sage one too.
“Yes.”
“We’ll get you fed, but first we are going to go to the house so you can change and pack to go to Grandma and Grandpa’s,” Nalia tells her as she wraps her arm around her shoulder and starts walking towards the parking lot. “Do you want to come with us to the house and we can all ride together to the restaurant?” she asks looking up at me as I rest my hand on her lower back.
“Yeah, that works.” I make sure the girls are in their car, then head for my Jeep and follow them out of the soccer complex. When we get to Nalia’s house, I stay in my car while they head inside. A few minutes later, they come back out, with Zuri changed and carrying a bag. I get out and meet them so I can put her bag in the trunk and open the doors.
“Do you think that Coop will be able to play ROBLOX with me?” Zuri asks me, climbing into the back seat.
“I’m sure he’ll be around this evening.”
“Cool.” She smiles as I slam her door then I wait for Nalia to get into her seat and buckled in.
I walk around the hood and get in then drive over to the restaurant where everyone is waiting for us. The moment we step inside, Bion greets us with a huge smile then ushers us over to the table where everyone is already seated and starts taking drink orders. He’s so happy to have us back, he offers us a couple appetizers on the house and sits down with us to chat while we eat.
By the time we’re all done, Sophie, Nico, Bax, and Sage have all promised to come back again and tell everyone they know about the restaurant, and we are all so full that we can barely walk out the door. It’s a good meal and good to see Nalia so relaxed and at ease with her parents after the last time I saw them together. I’m glad she’s so relaxed with me spending time with her and the people most important to her.
Twenty-Three
NALIA
With Logan’s hand wrapped around my thigh, the sun beats down on us. He exits the dirt parking lot of Olive and Oregano behind my parents, who are headed to their place with Zuri. Their plans for the night also include Nash, who Sage is dropping off, a bonfire, s’mores, and night swimming. I’m kind of bummed that I’m missing out, but I’m also looking forward to a childless evening, even if I do feel guilty for looking forward to a childless evening. When Logan’s cell phone starts to ring, Billie’s name pops up on the screen, and he takes his hand away to press the button and answer the call.
“Hey, honey.”
“Hey, Dad, I need a favor.”
“Okay.” He covers my hand with his, twining our fingers together.
“I was wondering if you could bring me my school bag. I forgot it, and Cat and I are going to try to do some homework tonight so that we don’t need to do it tomorrow, and we can just enjoy a pool day.”
“You know if you would have driven your car currently sitting in the driveway you wouldn’t need me to drop stuff off to you.”