Chapter 96
ELODIE’S POV~
The nanny’s sandals smacked the wet tiles as she hurried over, her words tumbling out. “Miss Elodie, thank you so much for yesterday p>
I gave her the quick smile I’d used a million times at Pack events, a smile I used whenever I didn’t want to talk much. “You’re welcome p>
I figured Daisy would still be scared of the water after the scare, but nope. She held the nanny’s hand tight with one fist, the other squeezing her pink floatie, and after dipping a toe, she just slipped right in. Harry must’ve talked her through it or something.
She paddled over to me, kicking little splashes on the water. “Auntie p>
I turned. “What’s up p>
She didn’t say anything, just swam happy circles around me, grinning with that missing tooth gap.
The nanny chuckled. “She really likes you p>
I smiled but didn’t answer.
The speaker buzzed: activities were starting soon. I waved to Daisy and headed out. “Bye, kid p>
She reached out. “Auntie, pick me up p>
I sighed and lifted her out. Water dripped everywhere. I wrapped her in my extra robe and it swallowed her and I carried her to the elevator. We would say goodbye on our floor.
The elevator dinged and the door opened.
There stood Harry, as though he was awaiting us.
Daisy’s face lit up. “Uncle p>
He stepped forward, reaching for her. But she wouldn’t let go of me. She had one arm to him, and the other clamped on my robe.
Harry grabbed her anyway. As he lifted, her grip pulled my robe open.
Cold air hit me first.
My blue lace was underneath my robe. The set I’d worn because… whatever, old habit. My chest, waist, the stretch marks from birthing Liora, were all out there for a second.
My face burned. I yanked the robe shut, tying it fast.
Harry’s eyes went wide, then he spun around quickly. “Sorry… Elodie, shit p>
The nanny fussed with the fabric, mumbling sorrys.
I kept my voice even. “I gotta go p>
Inside, my heart was pounding. I reached hurriedly into the elevators and watched the doors closed on his red face and Daisy’s little wave. The little sweetheart was oblivious to what she had done. I couldn’t help but wave back sheepishly.
Harry turned around, his expression tight. “Sorry about that p>
Daisy was looking up at Elodie with wide, worried eyes. She must have sensed something was wrong, thought maybe she’d upset her.
“Auntie, I’m sorry Her voice came out small. Trembling slightly.
Elodie softened immediately. The kid hadn’t meant any harm. Had just gotten excited and grabbed it without thinking.
“It’s okay,” she said gently. “I know you didn’t mean to p>
She managed a small smile and then waved at Daisy.
Then stepped into the elevator.
The doors slid closed.
Harry looked down at his niece. “Daisy. You can’t just grab people’s clothes like that, okay p>
Daisy nodded seriously. “Okay, Uncle p>
She looked genuinely remorseful. Like she’d committed some terrible crime instead of just being an overenthusiastic six-year-old.
Harry sighed and reached down and ruffled her hair.
Kids.
Around four in the afternoon, the group activities were wrapped up.
Elodie had to leave early. She needed to head over to Nonna’s dinner. She couldn’t exactly skip it, even if she wanted to.
Johnny walked her to the parking lot.
“Drive safe,” he said, his hands in his pockets.
“I know.” She directed a smile at him before pulling her eyes away.
She was fishing her keys out of her bag when a car pulled up nearby. The car pulled up slowly and unhurried but she didn’t pay attention at first, just simply thought it was another guest leaving the resort.
But then the rear window rolled down and a small face appeared.
Much to her surprise, it was Daisy.
“Goodbye, Auntie p>
She was waving enthusiastically, with that shy smile replaced by genuine excitement.
Elodie couldn’t help but smile back. “Goodbye, Daisy p>
Then she noticed Harry in the front seat.
Their eyes met through the window.
Elodie paused and then decided to just give him a polite nod.
He nodded back at her, but his gaze lingered and shifted past her and then landed on Johnny and stopped there.
Well… just for a second. It was brief and assessing.
Then he looked away, and the car pulled off.
Johnny watched it go, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “Huh p>
“What?” Elodie frowned, looking up at him.
“I don’t know.” He tilted his head. “Felt like Harry was sizing me up just now p>
Elodie frown deepened. “Sizing you up for what p>
“I’m not sure.” Johnny shrugged, but his expression stayed curious. “Maybe because we’re standing close? Maybe he thinks we’re He waggled his eyebrows. “You know. Together p>
Elodie rolled her eyes.
“And maybe,” Johnny continued, warming to the theory, “he’s keeping an eye on things for his good friend Dante. Making sure you’re not stepping out on the marriage or whatever p>
The words landed wrong.
Elodie’s faint smile faded, immediately.
“That’s definitely not it,” she said quietly.
Johnny caught the shift in her tone. “I was just p>
“Dante doesn’t care what I do.” She said as she unlocked her car. “Or who I do it with. He hasn’t cared in a long time p>
The words came out flatter than she intended. More honest. But it was the truth, Dante didn’t care. And she doesn’t care anymore about what Dante cared about or not. It was no longer business. She couldn’t wait for the divorce to proceed successfully and she would cut every single tie between them.
Johnny was quiet for a moment and didn’t speak, his eyes trained entirely on Elodie, who raised a brow at him.