Folk Around and Find Out (Good Folk: Modern Folktales #2)(77)

“She left a bit suddenly,” Hank said, and all the eyes in our little circle swung toward him again. He leaned nonchalantly against the counter by the coffee maker, his ankles crossed, his posture relaxed. He also ate cake and chose that moment to lick the frosting off his fork, his eyes locked with mine.

I stared at the fork as his tongue worked. I tried to swallow. I failed. Whatever Hank read on my face made him grin. He licked his lips. Then, when my eyes flicked back to his, he winked. At me.

Ripping my attention away once more, I shoved more cake in my mouth, wondering if the AC was still broken or if I’d been having one continuous hot flash since Hank’s proclamation in the car.

Whenever you want me to step in and see to your needs, say the word and I will. Holy temping offer, Batman.

“Why didn’t you have someone text her?” Tina chirped, seeming honestly affronted on my behalf.

“Don’t worry about it.” I lifted my hand to cover my mouth, speaking around my latest oversized bite. “I wouldn’t have been able to go anyhow. I needed to get home for the kids.”

“Your mother couldn’t have watched them? Laney’s parents watched her little girl.” April claimed the seat across from me, crossing her long legs and picking up a strawberry from her plate. “Isn’t that what grandmas are for?”

I lowered my plate to my lap. “She’d been with them all day. She—”

“We missed you. And we don’t care if you won’t be working here anymore. Once you’re part of this family, that’s it. We take care of our own.” Piper patted my shoulder, smiling down at me. “Next time, you should come.”

“I—uh, thank you.” I mostly managed to return her smile. “Sure.”

“You don’t sound sure,” Hannah said, her tone drawing my attention to her. She held no plate, but her gaze held a challenge.

“It’s just—” I glanced around at the group gathered. Even though I was supremely flustered, I wanted to pick my words carefully. I didn’t want any of these fine people to think I would hesitate to hang out with them in the future, if it were possible. “I don’t have a regular sitter. And I definitely don’t like leaving my momma with the kids by herself if I can help it. She’s getting older and the house is always such a mess when I get home. I usually have to stay up way too late cleaning and getting things in order for the next day, which means I get to bed too late, which means the next day is off ’cause I’m cranky when I don’t get my sleep. It just makes more sense not to go out at all, you know?”

“So you . . . never go out?” Jiff traded a look with Jenny.

“No. Not really. Not without my kids.”

“She speaks the truth.” This pronouncement came from Sita, who had lifted her fork in the air. “Ever since I had Dominic, I rarely go out. Sunday was definitely an exception, and only because he and his daddy went camping last weekend. The only place Dominic doesn’t come along is work. But he’s with me one hundred percent of the time otherwise, even when I go to the bathroom.”

“I haven’t gone to the bathroom by myself in four years unless I’m here,” Laney said dryly, quirking a sweet smile. “At this point, I just leave the door open at home, otherwise Selby bangs on it and wants to know what I’m doing, like I’m having fun without her.”

“I guess that settles that.” Tina stood and sauntered over to the trash, tossing her plate and fork in the bag.

“What does that settle?” Hannah asked.

Tina turned and faced us, eyeing her nails. “I’m never having children.”

Laughter erupted from all the moms gathered. Once we laughed, everyone else did as well, like our humor equaled permission.

“Tina, this isn’t news. You’ve never wanted kids.” Hope rolled her eyes.

“Yeah, but now I know for sure. I can’t fathom giving up all my freedom on purpose, and for what? Sorry. No offense, Charlotte.”

I waved away her apology, her proclamation not bothering me in the least. My occupation wasn’t for everyone.

“I don’t want kids either.” Serafina, the club’s head chef, stood and began tidying up the remainder of the cake.

“Why not?” Laney asked. “Yours would be well fed.”

“Meh.” Serafina shrugged. “I like kids, but I’ve never felt compelled to have my own.”

“That’s all right. Not everyone needs to have kids.” Kilby tossed her plate in the garbage and patted Tina on the shoulder. “Tina, Serafina, and Hank can babysit for the rest of us.”

“Yeah, no.” Tina rolled her eyes. “Unless you have a dog. Dogs are superior to humans, anyway.”

“Fine. Just Aunt Serafina and Uncle Hank, then,” Jiff joined in. “Ready to take kids bungee jumping for an hourly charge or give them souffle-making lessons.”

“Don’t forget giving them tips on salary negotiations and how to subdue an angry drunk. Hank would be great at that,” someone said, and everyone laughed again.

Grinning as I listened, I let the conversation continue around me, each person taking turns remarking on what inappropriate adventures Hank and Serafina would get up to with little kids before passing them back off to their parents.

At one point, the hairs on the back of my neck prickled. Immediately, I glanced at Hank. His stare rested on me, a thoughtful frown on his features, but his eyes seemed dazed. Abruptly, he blinked, his focus returning, his stare locking with mine.